News of the Brave New World

So, are we having fun yet?

The Guardian:

Journalists from across News International repeatedly targeted the former prime minister Gordon Brown, attempting to access his voicemail and obtaining information from his bank account, his legal file as well as his family’s medical records.

Daily Mirror:

Desperate Rupert Murdoch yesterday flew to London to try to save his crumbling empire.

He arrived in a cowboy-style hat to be hit by claims News of the World reporters hacked the phones of 9/11 victims.

The Scotsman:

Rupert Murdoch and his under-pressure chief executive Rebekah Brooks put on a united front as they faced down the continuing storm over the News of the World phone-hacking crisis…

However, Mr Murdoch gave the clearest sign yet that he was fully behind Ms Brooks, as the pair emerged from his luxury apartment in Mayfair beaming. Asked what his first priority was, Mr Murdoch pointed at Ms Brooks and said “this one”.

So far, this has been a UK scandal, with only, um, fleeting interest stateside. Murdoch may own Fox News and the NY Post, but they’ve only been involved by corporate association. “Claims” of 9/11 victim-hacking could change that, but don’t schedule your Schadenfreude Party until the scandal actually hits the tarmac.

11 Comments

I doubt this will spill over to Murdoch’s news outlets here because our reporters, unlike the Brits, have extremely high ethical standards and would not engage in such duplicity.

Time for a shotgun blow job, Rupert.

I hope this thing costs that sociopath mother fucker billions. Maybe all of them …

@blogenfreude: Could it really get to the Billions mark? Wouldn’t that be genius?

@Tommmcatt Be Fat, And That Be That:
It might. The shareholders are pissed. Stock is down 7%

Plus, the current head of the WSJ has been tagged in the mess because it appears he lied to parliament. Oops.

@ManchuCandidate: I keep forgetting that Rupert now owns the WSJ, since the editorial page is crazy as it ever was.

Ruh-roh:

Traders today questioned whether Mr Murdoch’s son, James, currently chairman and CEO of News Corp in Europe and Asia, may become a casualty of the saga in order to satisfy ‘fit and proper’ rules laid down by Ofcom, the broadcast regulator.

Opposition to the deal has hardened on this side of the Atlantic, with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg calling on Rupert Murdoch to ‘do the decent and sensible thing, and reconsider, think again, about your bid for BSkyB’.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt is writing to Ofcom and the Office of Fair Trading asking for their opinion on whether the matter could be referred to the Competition Commission, and if the events at the News of the World have any impact on the credibility and undertakings offered by News Corp.

And Labour is forcing a House of Commons debate this Wednesday calling for the bid to be delayed until after criminal prosecutions have been concluded – a motion that could be supported by the Liberal Democrats.

@Tommmcatt Be Fat, And That Be That: If you missed Sunday’s remark buried in a days-old post, the new downsized Stinqueria is back in business. Link above Latest Comments.

@mellbell:

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg calling on Rupert Murdoch to ‘do the decent and sensible thing, and reconsider, think again, about your bid for BSkyB’.

Hahahaha. Silly Brits. Decent and honorable? Hahahahaha

Interesting to see how often the Times and the Sunday Times are mentioned.

@nojo: Oh, sweet! I’ll have to get that doggie bowl now…

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