The News of the World: Hacked to Death.

It's all come to a head now. Begun in 2006, the phone hacking scandal of the News of the World has snowballed so much and for so long, that before long it's going to be used by Cthulu's kids to make a titanic bottom half of Frosty the Tentacled Snowman. And yet despite all of the big names that have been caught up in the affair, it never really captured the attention of the general public. At least, not in more than a *See's hacking story on the news and shakes head "bloody journos"* kind of way. Because for most people, perhaps especially, those who read 'Heat' or 'Hello' consider celebrities to be public interest and therefore shouldn't mind having their privacy invaded.

This view went down the swanny with the last weeks reports that the paper faces accusations of hacking the phones of the victims of crimes, and their families. Most notably: the phones of murdered schoolgirl, Milly Dowler; and those of the families of victims of the 7/7 London bombings.
This intrusion into the lives of ordinary people in terrible situations had sparked public anger and has people calling for blood. Metaphorically. The News of the World started losing sponsors left and right, and many people who were involved (directly or indirectly) seem set to be put before the firing squad.

Now, sitting at the top of what has become a mountain of crap for the NOTW , is Rupert Murdoch's announcement that the tabloid will soon cease to be. This Sunday marks the last edition of the 168 year old Newspaper. A very sad day for some, a happy day for others, but a bit of a surprise to everyone. The last edition, to go out on Sunday, will reportedly have no advertisements (most likely because it doesn't have any left) and is planned to be boycotted by many. Indeed a sad day, for what was once the most popular Newspaper in the world.

It's difficult to say how much the entire charade will have cost Murdoch. no doubt it'll be peanuts for him. but it is interesting to note that, though borne of different problems, Murdoch's other recent venture, The Daily, and online newspaper designed specifically for the iPad, has been a complete flop. Called "a complete failure of imagination" by the Telegraph. and the Guardian said: " it feels in places more like a newspaper created by a slightly dull committee rather than something with the kind of personality and viewpoint that truly great publications have."

One has to wonder whether or not these two failures could be linked to some kind of management problem within News Corps, and  if so, whether it has been marked and is being scrutinised by competitors.

Perhaps an important question to take away from this is how much damage News Corps can take from this before more problems begin to develop. Personally I'm wondering how Murdoch's planned takeover of BSkyB will be affected.

Until next time, Avid Readers.

And remember, keep watching the Sky... News.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/technology/shanerichmond/100006286/the-daily-ipad-app-review-a-complete-failure-of-imagination/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/feb/02/murdoch-daily-ipad-newspaper-review

Matters of Murdoch

The phone hacking scandal, brewing since 2006, after Clive Goodman and his asscoiates were charged with hacking the phones of the royal household has taken, even more of a downturn. Lately, the number of high profile victims is on the increase. Sarah Ferguson and John Prescott have both been informed that there is evidence that they have been targeted by phone hackers working with Rupert Murdoch's paper the News of the World.

Prescott said (no doubt as eloquently as possible) that the new Assistant Deputy Commissioner of the Met, Sue Akers, had expressed her dissatisfaction with the initial investigation. Unsurprising, since, as this debacle has progressed, one story after another has unravelled like a roll of toilet paper being chewed on by Labrador puppy.

I do take issue with Murdoch over this business. I don't particularly want to move into a profession which has gained a dodgy, untrustworthy reputation. I'm fully aware that this is by no means the first time journalists have earned us all a bad repute, and it certainly won't be the last. But, as my teachers used to tell me: "You're not just letting yourself down..."

Though it seems likely Murdoch will hardly be touched by the ongoing investigation (he can spare at least one of the skeletons that not doubt litter his septic tank), it will be interesting to see how this may affect his plans to increase his media monopoly into the UK. Though he probably doesn't need much help on that front. In fact, News Corp is set to buy television company Shine Productions (the company behind the likes of Masterchef and The Tudors) the majority share of which belongs to... Rupert's daughter Elisabeth (I guess the old maxim about keeping it in the family really does ring true occasionally). She stands to make at least £400m from the deal, and speculation is also rife over whether she will become more involved in the running of News Corp. And if so, whether she, or her brother, James, will succeed their father.

Let's at least hope that they don't become as bad as the Borgia, I'm not sure if Rupert's obsidian heart would be able handle the excitement...


http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/feb/10/phone-hacking-john-prescott-named
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cd4f972a-344c-11e0-993f-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1DgS4AscP