News International. The Saga Continues...

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Goodman has been arrested again, which is interesting. He works for the Daily Star now and their offices were raided.

Anyways, meeting between Brooks and the Screwed staff should be happening about now.

[Phony Moderate]

Mike Smithson thinks that Cameron's Premiership could soon meet the same fate.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Via twitter:

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[afleitch]

Mike Smithson thinks that Cameron's Premiership could soon meet the same fate.

Highly unlikely. Politicising the event is very dangerous affair. Remember, the hackings took place during the premierships of Blair and Brown who, despite the protestations of some in the media both sought and received News International's backing (and the backing of the NoTW itself) in three general elections.

There are lots of little things remember; the mysterious leaking of 'what's in Gordons budget' to the NoTW/Sun and Times almost every year, Murdoch visiting Brown in 2009 when the hacking allegations surfaced to 'stop' his MP's pressing the issue, Mandelsons 'hotline' to Brooks.

Even in February this year there was an orchestrated co-ordinated media narrative over 'middle income earners' by both Ed Balls and News International titles (with Balls giving interviews in both the Sun and the Times)

At the same time Milly Dowlers phone was being hacked, Labour apparachiks were scuttling back and forth from Wapping. So were the Tories of course. Such is politics. A bit of honesty and reflection over this wouldn't be unwelcome.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The problem that Cameron has over this isn't the links to News International in general (playing - partisan - politics with those would be a good example of someone being shocked, shocked to find gambling going on in this establishment), but the specifics regarding Coulson. When it comes to News International (or the press generally) all politicians are compromised, but there's a fundamental difference between being compromised and hiring Coulson shortly after he'd resigned in the circumstances that he had.

What it is though - right now all it is - is a sideshow. Yes, it raises questions about Cameron's judgment, and because of that it weakens and damages him (although to an uncertain extent), but this scandal isn't really about him (unless things take a turn for the seriously surreal at some point). It is about the press in general and the Murdoch empire in particular, and also about police corruption. And so is actually far more important than if it were a normal 'political' scandal. After all, Prime Ministers come and go, but Murdoch is forever.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Which is more useful? A chocolate kettle or the Press Complaints Commission.

[You kip if you want to...]

Neither Tony Blair nor Gordon Brown hired Andy Coulson as their top spin doctor...

[afleitch]

Neither Tony Blair nor Gordon Brown hired Andy Coulson as their top spin doctor...

Indeed, it was up to Ed Miliband to hire a News International man for his

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Which is more useful? A chocolate kettle or the Press Complaints Commission.

Milk chocolate or dark chocolate?

[minionofmidas]

Also rather important: http://politicalscrapbook.net/2011/07/news-of-the-world-boycott-roundup-which-advertisers-are-out/

Seems that they were only left with four advertisers by the time the plug was pulled.

That would serve to make the decision far easier for Murdoch, yeah.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I do hope that the hack on Newsnight that Steve Coogan tore to shreds was an actor.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

http://twitter.com/#!/RupertMurdochPR

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Also: http://www.youtube.com/user/NOTWPhoneHacking#p/u

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Not to forget b3ta:

[You kip if you want to...]

I do hope that the hack on Newsnight that Steve Coogan tore to shreds was an actor.

McMullan was worse here. Perfectly made a show of by John Prescott.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/10-oclock-live/video/series-1/episode-12/phone-hacking

[Јas]

News International papers targeted Gordon Brown - The Guardian

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[You kip if you want to...]

Prince Charles and Camilla targeted too apparently.

[afleitch]

News International papers targeted Gordon Brown - The Guardian

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While truly, genuinely awful it doesn't seem to have affected their relationship with Rebekah Brooks too much as despite saying to the Browns 'we did this and we're printing it', Sarah Brown still organised a 40th birthday party for her, stayed in their circle of friends and was invited to a No. 10 'slumber party.' They also attended her wedding.

[You kip if you want to...]

http://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2011/07/11/could-the-murdoch-press-be-no-more/

I'd rather him stay with the papers if that means he can't have Sky. A Fox News UK would do 10x more damage than any front page slash on The Sun ever could..

[afleitch]

http://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2011/07/11/could-the-murdoch-press-be-no-more/

I'd rather him stay with the papers if that means he can't have Sky. A Fox News UK would do 10x more damage than any front page slash on The Sun ever could..

If he ran Sky News with the same editorial stance as Fox News it would fail. Besides Murdoch tailors his media to it's market.

Also be careful what you wish for; the Mail on Sunday (editorially and politically a far worse paper than the NoTW) will probably fill the gap come Sunday (one glance at it's online content should be a big hint)

[afleitch]

Something very interesting from Ed Milliband today

“Let me ask the Culture Secretary a series of questions. First, on the subject the judge-led inquiry, as soon as an inquiry is established, tampering with or the destruction of any documents becomes a criminal offence. We already know that is relevant to the offices of the News of the World. It may also be relevant to any documents in No. 10 Downing street and Conservative headquarters.”

If he is accusing No. 10 of destroying documents then that is a very serious accusation. If he cannot substantiate it then he should withdraw it immediately.

[You kip if you want to...]

I don't completely get why Cameron's running away from this whole thing. Refusing to ask Brooks to go, refusing to debate today. Has he got something to hide? Even Clegg's climbed out from under his rock (hadn't heard much about him for about a month and a half) to say a few words about it.

[afleitch]

I don't completely get why Cameron's running away from this whole thing. Refusing to ask Brooks to go, refusing to debate today. Has he got something to hide? Even Clegg's climbed out from under his rock (hadn't heard much about him for about a month and a half) to say a few words about it.

It would be improper for the Prime Minister to tell an independent press who they should hire and fire for short term political gain, something Ed appears to have forgotten.

As for 'running away' Cameron gave his second press conference on the matter yesterday afternoon.

[Silent Hunter]

Government to back motion for Murdoch to withdraw bid for BSkyB

[afleitch]

Government to back motion for Murdoch to withdraw bid for BSkyB

Best way to deal with a politicised motion IMO. Takes the wind out of the sails.

Speaking of which Brown's story is starting to spring leaks...