The long awaited announcement concerning those to be prosecuted for 'phone hacking' came today. Former editors of the Murdoch press, Rebekah Brookes, a friend of Prime Minister Cameron, Andy Coulson, an ex 'Director of Communications' for the Prime Minister, and several others, including one private detective who has already done time for phone hacking, are now up for prosecution. The world rejoices!
The scandal came to light when a murdered young girl had her phone hacked by someone believed to be working for a media source, allegedly. This fooled the parents of the missing girl into believing she was still alive, when she was in fact long dead. Public outcry forced the Prime Minister to begin the Leaveson inquiry, which I suspect he hoped would be a whitewash of his friends. Instead the cat is out of the bag in many ways. The closeness of the present and former Prime Ministers to the press was no surprise, politicians wished the press on their side believing this brought votes. However the depth of corruption between the police, and the Metropolitan Police in particular shocked people, (The 'Met' is the London Police Force). None were surprised at some connection but the extent was a revelation, a surprising closeness between those at the top of the police and News International, the largest news agency in the UK, and more may arise yet. None would be shocked at the depth of phone hacking and dirty tricks used by the media, and the extent was allegedly huge. The media will do anything to expose peoples private lives and many of those hacked were celebrities, all 'research concerned their private lives alone most likely. Now this will be brought before the courts and the public await with baited breath the results of this investigation. Almost all defendants have already claimed they were innocent of any crime, and will defend themselves 'vigorously!
It has to be said that most of the hacking appears to be directed towards celebrities private lives. We are not talking here about 'journalism' exposing crime, wrong doing, or things, as the say, that were 'in the public interest,' as those would indeed be justifiable. The desperate search for individuals sex secrets is what matters to tabloid editors. 'Journalism,' the investigation into important stories, does not sell tabloid papers.
Andy Coulson, a trusted confidant of the PM, left his job editing the 'News of the World,' to join Cameron after one of his men had been jailed for phone hacking, a criminal offence. Cameron believed Coulson when he said he knew nothing about it. Good Human Resources work there Dave! Possibly the 'Eton Boy' liked the fact that Coulson lost an industrial tribunal case after bullying a sports reporter. That cost the company £800,000. I suppose Dave thought that a laugh! Oh and while he has been charged in this instance, he has also been charged with 'perjury' by Strathclyde Police. I wonder when that will come to court? Oh yes and while working for Cameron News International were still paying him! Not that this would affect his judgement in any way of course.
Rebekah Brookes, who has a house near Cameron's private home in the Cotswald's, cannot be said to be a fragile lassie. She has managed to worm her way up the ladder of News International, she has edited her friend Rupert's biggest selling papers, 'The Sun,' and the 'News of the World.' She has been horse riding with the PM near home, cultivating friendships maybe and has launched many a campaign in her papers, hopefully successful and cash productive for her titles. One such campaign was 'Violence against women!' This her paper claimed was 'nasty,' 'repugnant,' behaviour, and men ought to 'stop hitting their wives.' This was of course somewhat one sided as such campaigns always are. She ignored the many men who suffer violence from their spouses, at least she did until the campaign suddenly ceased. It ceased when she herself was charged with assaulting her then husband, TV hard man Ross kemp! They divorced! Her campaign against sex offenders led to many innocent men being attacked and near riots in some areas, including one where a Pediatrician had her house, which featured a nameplate giving her name and job description on a brass plate at the door, attacked by a mob thinking she abused children! 'The Sun' reader, at their best!
The readership of the papers reflect the people who write them. Immoral, uncaring, lacking a moral standard. Journalists investigating news which is relevant and 'in the public interest,' can only be a good thing and a 'must' for a free press. What matters here was something else, the need to give the public what the public wants. The public does not wish for journalism, the public wants scandal and sex stories. Nothing beats a female teacher having it away with a fifteen year old, unless it is a film/pop/football star who has been playing away with a slapper. A politician on the make sells some papers, but in the end sex sells best! That is what keeps the media alive, whether true or not, and that will continue unless proper controls come in. The present 'press Complaints Commission,' (PCC) has long been seen as friends of the press. Public complaints, if ever upheld, make not the slightest difference. The media just gets away with almost anything. Those that dare to go to court face much opposition and even victory does not stop the bile being thrown at them. the much maligned (and that is his own fault) John terry reflects this. A new independent PCC is required (and I would love to run that!) Leavason might well suggest this, but much opposition, and embarrassing headlines await any government that attempts to force one on the media. It is to be questioned whether any government has the guts to stand up to the press, although with some sections of the public on their sides now is indeed the time!
We await the trials, we await the judgement, we await the rebuke for breaking the law by talking about it probably. We await the facts being revealed for all to see, and we await the new press laws and Press Complaints commission that will end the 'licence' that allows the media to run riot now.
Press freedom comes with press responsibility!
.
4 comments:
I share your dislike of these people but I am getting a bit overwhelmed by all the sleazy nasty people who seem to be paraded before us these days. What about these banks helping drug barons, murderous dictators, people who use children to fight, etc. etc. That's the latest thing that is making me sick. I think we must have been living through a time when everyone thought they could get away with everything, and now suddenly they can't.
What is giving me nightmares at the moment is what is going on in Syria specially as we know so many decent people in Damascus who have been struggling on with their lives for years and trying to keep everything okay for their families.
Jenny, The fact is these things are with us always. However now the cat is out of the bag and something can be done. Usually such stories are only found in 'Private Eye,' as few wish to publish them, the 'Eye' is constantly being sued for this. We can do little about the 'great and the good' normally, but good journalism can expose such wrongs. We can be grateful for that and do good in our own world.
Not that I do, obviously.....
I think this was the tipping point where people are no longer prepared to accept the lies of those in authority. The banks need to have a few heads roll and so does westminster.
Mo, Public outcry certainly helps here. Whether much changes in the long run we must wait and see.
Post a Comment