Murdoch's malign influence must die with the News of the World

[deminks]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jul/10/observer-editorial-murdoch-phone-hacking?CMP=twt_gu

Suddenly, Rupert Murdoch seems much less a global mogul, much more a diminished man of glass. He flies into London this weekend from Sun Valley, Idaho, in time for the last rites of the most successful Sunday newspaper in Britain, the News of the World. One hundred and sixty-eight years ago, it pledged: "Our motto is the truth, our practice is fearless advocacy of the truth." After today, the tabloid will appear no more, felled not by one royal rogue reporter but by the arrogance, ambition and apparent tolerance of systemic criminal behaviour by members of the senior News International management.

(snip)

So what kind of an organisation provides a home for such a culture? Over 40 years, Murdoch convinced the establishment that he can make or break political reputations and grant or take away electoral success. In doing so, he has come close to gelding parliament, damaging the rights of citizens and undermining democracy. It is legitimate to ask how a naturalised American, domiciled in New York, born in Australia, and who pays next to no UK tax, holds so much sway. What right exactly did this man have to exert such influence over our political life? Freedom of information requests reveal that he spoke to prime minister Tony Blair three times in the 10 days that led up to the Iraq invasion in 2003. This was a perversion of our politics, orchestrated by a man whose power the establishment failed to check. Then they had to live with the demeaning consequences.

And what did Britain get in return for gifting this man the back keys to political power? (Literally in Murdoch's case, as he swept into Downing Street days after last year's election and then left by the back door). In return, a swaggering, bullying, crassly ineffective News International treated British citizens with contempt by hacking their phones and treated the media, police and politicians investigating the affair with wilful disdain and barely concealed threats. Let this never happen again on our watch.

Prime ministers have danced fast and furiously to Murdoch's tune. In 2001, for instance, Murdoch's newspapers supported Blair in the general election. Blair in turn backed a communications bill that loosened restrictions on foreign media ownership. More recently, News International bosses are reported to have told Ed Miliband that there would be "repercussions" if he continued to call for Rebekah Brooks's resignation. Miliband, belatedly, has broken out of the cocoon of fear that is Murdoch's speciality. He is on the offensive against the power of Murdoch and that's to his credit. It's hard to conceive that there's any going back.

(end snip)

Does anybody doubt that Presidents(Pretzeldents)and Congress Critters have danced as well?

[ClarkUSA]

1. Long live The Guardian!

Do you think David Cameron has stopped sucking Murdoch's toes yet? We'll see whether his CYA blubbering is all an act. If Murdoch gets approval to buy up BSkyB, the leading provider of pay TV, then we'll know the Tories are just the PR arm of News International.