Did any of you read the final edition of News of the World? Their "Thank you and Goodbye" headline on the front page was rather compelling, being the oldest living British newspaper, they had to leave with a bang.
I didn't read the final edition. Could not believe they did not have a single edition at my local Tesco, but I wouldn't have bought it anyway. They have caused so much trouble in the last, goodness knows how many years regarding the phone hacking scandal, it was more of a protest on my behalf if anything.
Investigations I'm glad to say are on full swing. On Saturday, Andy Coulson being behind bars, then released on bail and today, according to the BBC, Rebekar Wade (or Brookes, whichever you prefer to call her) is to be quizzed by police as a "witness".
This all comes six days since my last blog post, and a lot has happened since. On Wednesday, we had Prime Minister's Questions and on Thursday, there was an almost hour-long debate on Question Time.
On PMQ, David Cameron had to ensure the public that a thorough investigation will take place and is to be a "full police inquiry". The Prime Minister was given a lot of stick and some right-wing presses have praised Labour leader Ed Miliband's performance as he echoes the public feelings of the phone hacking situation.
Milband went a step further talking about Rupert Murdoch's proposed full takeover of BSkyB. He said that the coalition government must "delay" the decision to be made by Jeremy Hunt very soon. Murdoch, who's corporation owned News of the World has been receiving plenty of criticism for backing Ms. Brookes' (or Wade) comments that she knew nothing about her employees phone hacking when she was editor when all the debacle started. The Australian businessman visited London's 10 Downing Street on Sunday to discuss with Cameron and, I assume a few others about the BSkyB situation. Throughout the day, Murdoch walked side-by-side with Rebekar Wade who, we all now consider her to be the "most hated woman in Britain" simply because she could be the person who did so much wrong, that everyone has lost faith in the press.
On Thursday's Question Time, a lot was discussed about NotW. Jon Gaunt, who was a columnist of The Sun newspaper, also owned by Murdoch said that he was appalled the way the 200 staff members who are "innocent" have been treated in this ordeal as they now are jobless because of the minorities' wrongdoings. Hugh Grant, who famously is critical of tabloid journalism said that it's a great thing that the newspaper is closed, despite its 168-years history. Conservative representative Chris Grayling acted like a broken record repeating what Cameron said the day before whilst Douglas Alexander of Labour was forced to defend his party when being asked why didn't they sort out the situation when police investigations first started in 2006/7.
There is a lot of information to sink in as the public, I'm sure are deeply concerned about the whole situation. It's not too much about who the newspaper have hacked, but now we're debating about what should be done about it, which I'm in support of. In fact, I'm massively in support of the police doing a good job and I'm sure that they will convict the right people at good timing. Something is being done about this tragedy and hopefully, the situation will be over and done with quickly.
However, the government have to do more. I still feel that they have a soft side for Murdoch. This soft side is not getting things done in the public interest. The Conservatives, like the Labour government between 1997 and 2010 have fallen into a big Murdoch trap. His manipulation and power has convinced both parties that he is the good guy.
In 1997, Tory-paper The Sun turned their support to Tony Blair's Labour just months before his election victory. This mirrors the 2010's election where the same paper backed David Cameron to be the next Prime Minister which their wishes came true. Murdoch is treating the newspapers and their editors like puppets which for him seems to work, as The Sun and The Times (another Murdoch-owned) are perhaps two of the most influential papers in the UK.
His "good-guy" status in the government's eyes are continuing with this BSkyB talks. As it stands, he owns just below 40% of the organisation already which means he has majority control as other owners have less of an influence. Of course Murdoch would love to have more power than ever before but what would happen to the future of BSkyB if the government do accept his ownership.
If you're asking me, I disagree with both the government and their opposition in regards to the proposed ownership of Sky. They should not either contemplate or delay any decision. They should block the whole move altogether. If they say to us they disapprove of Murdoch's actions constantly, then they should do everything to get him out of any dealings with the British media. Cameron must not make the same mistakes as the previous government by giving the Aussie the freedom he does not deserve.
The closure of News of the World is not a triumph. It would have been if the government closed it themselves as I suggested last week. If we remember, it was James Murdoch, Rupert's son was the man who decided on this. This alone, must indicate that the government is powerless in regards to the press which, as Hugh Grant said on Thursday must be regulated so that the phone hacking, or any other scandal will be announced in this fashion again.
I didn't read the final edition. Could not believe they did not have a single edition at my local Tesco, but I wouldn't have bought it anyway. They have caused so much trouble in the last, goodness knows how many years regarding the phone hacking scandal, it was more of a protest on my behalf if anything.
Investigations I'm glad to say are on full swing. On Saturday, Andy Coulson being behind bars, then released on bail and today, according to the BBC, Rebekar Wade (or Brookes, whichever you prefer to call her) is to be quizzed by police as a "witness".
This all comes six days since my last blog post, and a lot has happened since. On Wednesday, we had Prime Minister's Questions and on Thursday, there was an almost hour-long debate on Question Time.
On PMQ, David Cameron had to ensure the public that a thorough investigation will take place and is to be a "full police inquiry". The Prime Minister was given a lot of stick and some right-wing presses have praised Labour leader Ed Miliband's performance as he echoes the public feelings of the phone hacking situation.
Milband went a step further talking about Rupert Murdoch's proposed full takeover of BSkyB. He said that the coalition government must "delay" the decision to be made by Jeremy Hunt very soon. Murdoch, who's corporation owned News of the World has been receiving plenty of criticism for backing Ms. Brookes' (or Wade) comments that she knew nothing about her employees phone hacking when she was editor when all the debacle started. The Australian businessman visited London's 10 Downing Street on Sunday to discuss with Cameron and, I assume a few others about the BSkyB situation. Throughout the day, Murdoch walked side-by-side with Rebekar Wade who, we all now consider her to be the "most hated woman in Britain" simply because she could be the person who did so much wrong, that everyone has lost faith in the press.
On Thursday's Question Time, a lot was discussed about NotW. Jon Gaunt, who was a columnist of The Sun newspaper, also owned by Murdoch said that he was appalled the way the 200 staff members who are "innocent" have been treated in this ordeal as they now are jobless because of the minorities' wrongdoings. Hugh Grant, who famously is critical of tabloid journalism said that it's a great thing that the newspaper is closed, despite its 168-years history. Conservative representative Chris Grayling acted like a broken record repeating what Cameron said the day before whilst Douglas Alexander of Labour was forced to defend his party when being asked why didn't they sort out the situation when police investigations first started in 2006/7.
There is a lot of information to sink in as the public, I'm sure are deeply concerned about the whole situation. It's not too much about who the newspaper have hacked, but now we're debating about what should be done about it, which I'm in support of. In fact, I'm massively in support of the police doing a good job and I'm sure that they will convict the right people at good timing. Something is being done about this tragedy and hopefully, the situation will be over and done with quickly.
However, the government have to do more. I still feel that they have a soft side for Murdoch. This soft side is not getting things done in the public interest. The Conservatives, like the Labour government between 1997 and 2010 have fallen into a big Murdoch trap. His manipulation and power has convinced both parties that he is the good guy.
In 1997, Tory-paper The Sun turned their support to Tony Blair's Labour just months before his election victory. This mirrors the 2010's election where the same paper backed David Cameron to be the next Prime Minister which their wishes came true. Murdoch is treating the newspapers and their editors like puppets which for him seems to work, as The Sun and The Times (another Murdoch-owned) are perhaps two of the most influential papers in the UK.
His "good-guy" status in the government's eyes are continuing with this BSkyB talks. As it stands, he owns just below 40% of the organisation already which means he has majority control as other owners have less of an influence. Of course Murdoch would love to have more power than ever before but what would happen to the future of BSkyB if the government do accept his ownership.
If you're asking me, I disagree with both the government and their opposition in regards to the proposed ownership of Sky. They should not either contemplate or delay any decision. They should block the whole move altogether. If they say to us they disapprove of Murdoch's actions constantly, then they should do everything to get him out of any dealings with the British media. Cameron must not make the same mistakes as the previous government by giving the Aussie the freedom he does not deserve.
The closure of News of the World is not a triumph. It would have been if the government closed it themselves as I suggested last week. If we remember, it was James Murdoch, Rupert's son was the man who decided on this. This alone, must indicate that the government is powerless in regards to the press which, as Hugh Grant said on Thursday must be regulated so that the phone hacking, or any other scandal will be announced in this fashion again.
Isn't it strange the Murdock papers tun support for the tories just as they were bidding to take over bskyb ?
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