tagged w/ News of the World
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will Brooks try to make a deal? This is an obvious question, but a good one all the same. She clearly knows stuff. She also has a young child at home (not hers—a surrogate, but still.) For that matter, will any of the other six people try to make a deal as well? Or instead? Will we see some version of Prisoner’s Dilemma here? It’s probably the case that no one knows as much as Brooks does. There are actually a number of police investigations currently going on—focusing on either the phone hacking exploits of the media (mostly, but not entirely, News Corp personnel), on email hacking, on unauthorized police leaks, on bribery of the police, and heaven knows what else. I suspect Brooks knows a fair amount about much of this. And if she does make a deal, will it be at the expense of Rupert and/or James? Hard to say. One of the interesting aspects of this whole affair is that so much was done without anyone actually telling anyone what to do. So there’s not much of a paper trail, and what there is has been disputed. Did James see the incriminating memo that his senior executives and lawyers said they showed him? He says no, they say yes, but there’s no hard evidence one way or the other. A lot of this is on that level. But if Brooks starts feeling pressure to make a deal, I imagine all hell will break loose.will Brooks try to make a deal? This is an obvious question, but a good one all the... more
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17898029
Rupert Murdoch "is not a fit person to exercise the stewardship of a major international company", MPs have said.
The culture committee questioned journalists and bosses at the now-closed News of the World, as well as police and lawyers for hacking victims.
Its report has concluded that Mr Murdoch exhibited "wilful blindness" to what was going on in News Corporation.
But the committee was split six to four with Tory members refusing to endorse the report and branding it "partisan".
Conservative Louise Mensch called it "a real great shame" that the report's credibility had potentially been "damaged" as a result, with the report carried by Labour and Lib Dem members backing it.
News Corp said in a statement it was "carefully reviewing" the report and would "respond shortly", adding: "The company fully acknowledges significant wrongdoing at News of the World and apologises to everyone whose privacy was invaded."
'A blind eye'
The BBC News Channel's chief political correspondent Norman Smith said the report was much more damning than had been anticipated.
He said the "crunch" statement was that Rupert Murdoch was "not a fit person", adding: "This is a blow to the very heart of the Murdoch empire. They are questioning his integrity, his honesty."
The committee of MPs began its inquiry in July 2011 in the wake of fresh revelations about the extent of hacking at the tabloid newspaper, with reported victims including the murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler and the families of victims of the 7/7 London bombings.
It heard evidence from Mr Murdoch and his son James, and has now concluded that the notion that a hands-on proprietor like Rupert Murdoch had "no inkling" that wrongdoing was widespread at the News of the World was "simply not credible".
It noted that the newspaper mogul had "excellent powers of recall and grasp of detail when it suited him", and added: "On the basis of the facts and evidence before the committee, we conclude that, if at all relevant times Rupert Murdoch did not take steps to become fully informed about phone hacking, he turned a blind eye and exhibited wilful blindness to what was going on in his companies and publications."
Tory MPs objected specifically to the line branding Mr Murdoch "not fit", with one, Philip Davies, telling a press conference the committee had seen "absolutely no evidence" to endorse such a "completely ludicrous" conclusion.
But Labour MP Tom Watson said "more than any individual alive", Mr Murdoch was to blame for phone hacking, and it was right to "raise the bar" of the report and make that clear.
The committee also criticised three former News International executives - one-time executive chairman Les Hinton, former News of the World editor Colin Myler and former legal manager Tom Crone.
Mr Myler and Mr Crone misled the committee over their knowledge that other staff were involved in phone hacking, the MPs said.
News Corp as a whole was guilty of "huge failings of corporate governance" and, throughout, its instinct had been "to cover up rather than seek out wrongdoing and discipline the perpetrators", the committee said.
Foam attack
And it concluded: "Corporately, the News of the World and News International misled the committee about the true nature and extent of the internal investigations they professed to have carried out in relation to phone hacking; by making statements they would have known were not fully truthful; and by failing to disclose documents which would have helped expose the truth."
The committee raised the possibility of a vote in the House of Commons about whether witnesses had been in contempt of Parliament, and if so, what punishment should be imposed.
It said it would table a motion inviting the House to endorse its conclusions.
James Murdoch told the committee last summer that he did not see an email which suggested that hacking was more widespread at the paper than previously acknowledged - a claim disputed by Mr Myler and Mr Crone in their evidence.
On that matter, the report concluded that James Murdoch was "consistent" in relation to the so-called "For Neville" email, but he had demonstrated "wilful ignorance" about what had been going on, which "clearly raises questions of competence" on his part.
James Murdoch has insisted he did not know about any wrongdoing at the News of the World, but took "his share" of responsibility for not uncovering it earlier.
He gave evidence alongside his father Rupert, who at one point during the hearing was attacked by a man who rushed forward from the public gallery and threw a paper plate of foam at him.
'Shielded'
The committee also said former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks must "accept responsibility" for presiding over a culture at the News of the World that led to journalists impersonating members of Milly Dowler's family and hacking the teenager's phone.
James and Rupert Murdoch James and Rupert Murdoch appeared before the media committee last July
And it criticised Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer and former Acting Deputy Commissioner at the Metropolitan Police John Yates for failing to ensure hacking claims were properly investigated.
After initially claiming that malpractice was limited to one "rogue" reporter at the News of the World, News International has now settled dozens of civil cases admitting liability for hacking between 2001 and 2006.
More than 6,000 possible victims have been identified and the police have so far made a number of arrests in connection with an investigation reopened in January 2011 - although no charges have yet been brought.
Media regulator Ofcom is currently looking into that issue, and reacting to the report, a spokesman said: "Ofcom has a duty under the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996 to be satisfied that any person holding a broadcasting licence is, and remains, fit and proper to do so.
Louise Mensch said the MPs' phone-hacking report would lose credibility for its line over Rupert Murdoch
"Ofcom is continuing to assess the evidence - including the new and emerging evidence - that may assist it in discharging these duties."
David Cameron's official spokesman said the government would consider the report's findings.
Asked whether the prime minister regarded Rupert Murdoch as a fit person to run a media company, he said: "That is a matter for the regulatory authorities, not for the government."
The hacking revelations led to the closure of the News of the World and the government's decision to set up a judicial inquiry into press standards headed by Lord Leveson.
Appearing before the Leveson Inquiry last week, Rupert Murdoch said there had been a "cover-up" which "shielded" senior figures at the paper and its parent company - including himself and his son James - from knowledge of wrongdoing taking place.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17898029
Rupert Murdoch "is not a fit... more
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In this gripping on the sofa discussion, volunteers raise questions on the press and free speech in light of the Leveson Inquiry. The online journal Spiked has launched a campaign against the Leveson Inquiry and spiked journalist Patrick Hayes challenges participants not to go along with the Inquiry’s dangerous underlying assumptions. Support for the Leveson inquiry with its bewigged judges, celebrities and government seeking to control the press, shows nothing but elitist snobbery and contempt for the public. Free speech and a free press with no ‘buts’ are essential for democracy he argues and while not everyone on the sofa agrees, WORLDwrite and WORLDbytes does.In this gripping on the sofa discussion, volunteers raise questions on the press and... more
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Rupert Murdoch's world is crashing down around him...and the rest of us couldn't be happier watching him squirm... (watch Jon Stewart's take on 'RupertGate')...
http://veracitystew.com/?p=34541Rupert Murdoch's world is crashing down around him...and the rest of us... more
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The gift that keeps on giving.
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What today sounded like in 1947.
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Oh, the Tabloid Press . . . .
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News International chairman James Murdoch is being questioned for a second time by MPs about phone hacking at the News of the World today.He today denied that he misled the House of Commons Committee but that both his former employees were the ones who did not tell the whole truth when they gave evidence earlier in the year. Murdoch's testimony to the culture, media and sport committee in July is being disputed by the NoW's former legal manager Tom Crone.And the NoW's ex-chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck has claimed the paper did not act on information he gave it about hacking.Both James and Rupert Murdoch denied knowing the full extent of the allegations until evidence in civil cases was requested in late 2010.James Murdoch told the committee he had not been "aware" of an email suggesting hacking went beyond a single "rogue" reporter, Clive Goodman, who was jailed for four months in 2007.The email, marked "for Neville" and assumed to refer to Thurlbeck, contained transcripts of private voicemail messages revealing that Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor's phone had been hacked.However, two former NoW executives - former editor Colin Myler and former legal manager Tom Crone - later issued a statement claiming they "did inform him" of the email in 2008 when he agreed to settle the Gordon Taylor case.
Feisty MP Tom Watson stunned Mr Murdoch when he referred to him as a maffia boss. Murdoch said he found the line of questioning offensive.
You can watch it live at the BBC or follow The Guardian's live coverage.
News International chairman James Murdoch is being questioned for a second time by... more
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We're taking a look at some of the most popular stories from the Current community, and we've rounded up some highlights to share. Check them out and add your two cents:
New Evidence of Cover-up in Murdoch Hacking ScandalSubmitted by chew_chew
A newly released document from former News of the World staffer Clive Goodman states that phone hacking was indeed "widely discussed" at editorial meetings.
In a 2007 letter addressed to the paper's HR department, former royal correspondent Clive Goodman said he acted "with the full knowledge and support" of other senior journalists. "This practice was widely discussed in the daily editorial conference, until explicit reference to it was banned by [Andy Coulson]," said the paper's former editor, who went on to serve as an aide to prime minister David Cameron. Tom Watson, who questioned Rupert and James Murdoch last month, called the letter "absolutely devastating" to their defense.
"Clive Goodman's letter is the most significant piece of evidence that has been revealed so far," said Watson. "It completely removes News International's defense. This is one of the largest cover-ups I have seen in my lifetime." Goodman's letter can be seen in full here.
Our community offer its thoughts:
wynnmeg61: "This is interesting, not a bit surprising though. However, if you think that the Murdochs or their empire will suffer any legal consequences, you are dreaming. Rupert has entirely too much power, and frankly too much dirt on others, to have to face any consequences."
Vic_Romano: "I just hope that people keep digging. Not only do I want to see News Corp. totally destroyed, but I'd like to see the other corporate media outlets dismantled as well."
EdJoyProductions: "I would have been more surprised if there was no evidence of a cover up. I would like to think more heads will roll but these things have way of fixing themselves when billionaires are involved. There will probably be some more sacrificial lambs but it will probably not effect the Murdoch empire significantly."
Ron Paul Breaks With Mitt Romney: ‘People Are Individuals…Not Companies’Submitted by Dagum
Republican Congressman Ron Paul of Texas spoke out against Mitt Romney's view that "corporations are people."
"Obviously they’re not. People are individuals, they’re not groups and they’re not companies. Individuals have rights, they’re not collective. You can’t duck that. So individuals should be responsible for corporations, but they shouldn’t be a new creature, so to speak. Rights and obligations should be always back to the individual."
New York sees record one day rainfall and floodingSubmitted by JanforGore
New York just recorded the all-time record for a one-day rainfall Sunday. As much as 8 inches of rain drenched the city, caused power outages, flooded streets and disrupted trains.
"The normal rainfall for all of August in New York is 4 inches - which means the city was socked with two months worth of rain in a single day." "This is what you would expect in a major hurricane," said Steve Wistar, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather."
The community shares its struggles with the erratic weather conditions:
coolplanet: "We are the same way in here in western Pennsylvania. Actually the entire Appalachian region from Georgia to Maine is the most stable landmass on Earth because it is the oldest mountain chain. The oldest rivers run here. Our hills were once higher than the Himalayan mountains millions of years ago."
lazloman: "We had the rainiest July ever in Chicago this year, with most of that rain coming after the 21st. The 9 inches we had on the 23rd, is second rainiest day on record."
Join the discussion -- or head over to the Community page for more popular stories from the community.We're taking a look at some of the most popular stories from the... more
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rluz
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10 months ago
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MPs have released a letter from the News of the World's former royal editor Clive Goodman, who was jailed for phone hacking, alleging that senior figures at the paper knew what was going on.
Goodman wrote the letter to News International as he appealed against his dismissal in 2007, saying hacking was "widely discussed" at the paper and that he had been promised his job back if he did not implicate it in court.
In a separate move, the Commons culture committee may recall James Murdoch.
Committee chairman, Tory MP John Whittingdale, said that it might recall Mr Murdoch to give further evidence because it needed to ask more questions about what he knew about hacking.
Other former News International executives are already expecting to be called to give evidence to MPs in September.
Goodman is the only journalist so far to have been convicted of intercepting voice mail messages.
He was jailed for four months in January 2007 after pleading guilty to hacking phones.
News International said at the time that Goodman had acted alone and no other journalists were involved in hacking.
In early February of that year, Goodman was told he had been dismissed for gross misconduct, prompting his appeal to News International's director of human resources, dated 2 March.
The letter, published on the MPs' committee website, was copied to Les Hinton, News International's then executive chairman, and Stuart Kuttner, the then managing editor of the News of the World.
Appealing against his dismissal, Goodman wrote: "The decision is perverse in that the actions leading to this criminal charge were carried out with the full knowledge and support of [redacted] … payment for Glen Mulcaire's services was arranged by [redacted].
"The decision is inconsistent because [redacted] and other members of staff were carrying out the same illegal procedures.
"This practice was widely discussed in the daily editorial conference, until explicit reference to it was banned by the Editor. As far as I am aware, no other member of staff has faced disciplinary action, much less dismissal."
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14541848MPs have released a letter from the News of the World's former royal editor Clive... more
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On July 18th, the former veteran show –business correspondent for the newspaper News of the World, died in his home located in Watford (a suburb of London). Police said his death was “unexplained” and “not thought to be suspicious”. It was noted that Mr. Hoare had a history of drug and alcohol abuse. As of yet, the toxicology test has still to come forth.
The reason why Mr. Hoare’s death is so unique is because he was the whistle-blower that exposed the phone-hacking scandal involving The Murdoch Empire along with the rest of their loyal lieutenants. He told the New York Times as early as September 2010 that Andy Coulson (Prime Minister Cameron former Communication Director) was aware of phone-hacking practices at News of the World and The Sun. The Milly Dowler case- exposed the practice and weakened the Murdoch brand and exposed the power wheeled by one mogul.On July 18th, the former veteran show –business correspondent for the newspaper... more
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Sara Payne, whose eight-year-old daughter Sarah was abducted and murdered in July 2000, has been told by Scotland Yard that they have found evidence to suggest she was targeted by the News of the World's investigator Glenn Mulcaire, who specialised in hacking voicemail.
Police had earlier told her correctly that her name was not among those recorded in Mulcaire's notes, but on Tuesday officers from Operation Weeting told her they had found her personal details among the investigator's notes. These had previously been thought to refer to a different target.
Friends of Payne have told the Guardian that she is "absolutely devastated and deeply disappointed" at the disclosure. Her cause had been championed by the News of the World, and in particular by its former editor, Rebekah Brooks. Believing that she had not been a target for hacking, Payne wrote a farewell column for the paper's final edition on 10 July, referring to its staff as "my good and trusted friends".
For more info: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jul/28/phone-hacking-sarah-payneSara Payne, whose eight-year-old daughter Sarah was abducted and murdered in July... more
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Never-ending and constantly shocking.
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To celebrate Fridays, auto tune, virals, gingers, phone hacking, and Rebekahs/Rebeccas everywhere have a look at this quite marvellous 'homage de l'internet' featuring Rebekah Brooks singing Rebecca Black's cult hit "Friday".To celebrate Fridays, auto tune, virals, gingers, phone hacking, and Rebekahs/Rebeccas... more
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Now it's Cameron's turn at grilling.
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The whistleblower who exposed the News Of The World phone-hacking scandal, has been found dead. Sean Hoare was a journalist at the shamed newspaper and claimed Editors knew what was happening, and encouraged reporters to do it. He was found dead at his home near London. Police are treating it as unexplained, but not suspicious. Hoare directly named his former Editor, Andy Coulson, for knowing about illegal hacking, which he denies. RT talks to James Corbett, independent news website editor.
RT on Twitter: http://twitter.com/RT_com
RT on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RTnewsThe whistleblower who exposed the News Of The World phone-hacking scandal, has been... more
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With the phone hacking scandal at News International getting better and better each day surely a feature film adaptation is just around the corner?
So who should play whom?
Do you agree with the bold choices that Paul and Lisa over at Handface made?
Source: DailyWhat and HandfaceWith the phone hacking scandal at News International getting better and better each... more
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