EnMasse

Maestro · Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 7:10 am Post subject:

I didn't know where to put this, and didn't think it warranted a new thread...

Dead soldiers' families 'hacked'

Tehanu · Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 5:12 pm Post subject:

This is developing into quite the issue, it seems. I have no objection to the News of the World being put under the microscope for its practices; many British tabloid attacks on individuals' private lives have long been appallingly vicious. And Rupert Murdoch has hardly been a saint, so it's fitting that it's his paper that's in hot water.

It's not just the soldiers, apparently. They're also accused of intercepting the voice mail of an abducted and murdered 13-year-old girl, hindering the police investigation, and also of families of people killed in the 2005 London bombing. As well as hiring two private investigators who were murder suspects.

So Murdoch's solution? Close the paper.

bshmr · Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 5:54 pm Post subject:

Well, it is bigger than bully sleaze Murdoch's News Corp. Smacks of Rev. Moon's befriending officialdoms. It is significant that this scandal 'made it to' PressEurope, do follow and read the Telegraph's article (though it lacks background info, etc.)

PM's future hacked by the Murdoch empire (The Daily Telegraph, London)
Date:Today 11:04

sparqui · Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 6:57 pm Post subject:

Seems the paper also had a practice of paying off cops for inside information.
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“If my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a tractor.”

-- Gilles Duceppe

voice of the damned · Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 8:32 pm Post subject:

bshmr · Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 8:47 pm Post subject:

Not that it means anything, the local FOX affiliate ramped up its on-line and RSS coverage recently and the items seem to be more sensational and less local than similar media. They appear to be trying to increase their 'traffic/market'.

I seldom, and I mean can't remember when I last did, watch that TV channel because it is a FOX affiliate and faux-y ('24', NASCAR, 'House', MLB, etc). Noticing their transformations has been revealing, IMO.

Maestro · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 2:41 am Post subject:

TS. · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:37 am Post subject:

I've split this off into a new thread considering the notoriety of the scandal.

Couldn't happen to a nicer group of folks. Rolling Eyes

_________________
"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." - Thomas Jefferson

bshmr · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 2:42 pm Post subject:

From another perspective:

The World from Berlin: 'British Democracy Is a Farce'
Date:Today 07:11

Maestro · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 2:04 am Post subject:

Well, now the FBI is involved. My advice to Rudolph...stay out of the UK. Their wonderful extradition treaty with the US means they will hand you over to the USA, regardless of whether you have committed a crime in the USA.

Perhaps my prediction that Conrad and Rudolph will share a cell is not that far off...

On the broader question of how much power the media should have in a democracy, I think it's obvious News International had too much, wherever the balance may be.
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Maestro · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 12:57 pm Post subject:

And now Rebekah Brooks is gone:

News International CEO Rebekah Brooks quits

bshmr · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 2:44 pm Post subject:

Don't ignore James. With Brooks falling on her sword, the odds of James and Rupert being directly involved (approving) just sky-ed. Unfortunately, the odds of their retribution and sacrifice equaling those of their obedient 'peons', some of whom will be imprisoned and bankrupted, is still next to nil. IMO, of course.

Maestro · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 9:18 pm Post subject:

Depends on what the FBI turns up. Murdoch doesn't have a lot of friends in the US, certainly not amongst the current administration, so if they find he's hacked phones in the US, especially if it's 9/11 victim phones, he's in serious trouble.

The government of UK would turn him over in an instant, and be glad to be rid of the problem.
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voice of the damned · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 4:40 am Post subject:

voice of the damned · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 5:15 am Post subject:

Not a particularly high-profile casualty, though a pretty major one all the same...

ronb · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 5:37 am Post subject:

Apparently we have Hugh Grant to thank for Murdoch's demise.

Fidel · Fulltime enMasse Member Joined: 04 May 2006 Posts: 812

voice of the damned · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 1:38 am Post subject:

voice of the damned · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 4:34 am Post subject:

Interesting analysis on CNN.

According to that, the Murdoch press, both in the US and the UK, is in fact giving fairly prominent coverage to this scandal. The major exception seems to be FOX News. I'm not sure why that would be.

Fidel · Fulltime enMasse Member Joined: 04 May 2006 Posts: 812

I was thinking it's more like government and corporations hand-in-glove with spying on citizens. They've been doing it for a long time. What US Govt and telcos have been doing for many years, spying on U.S. and citizens of other English speaking countries is far more pervasive than Watergate, and probably far more intrusive than the East German Stasi ever had technical capabilities for doing.

Murdoch and his newz rags have propagandised Anglo-American military adventures for decades. He's guilty of something far worse than even hacking telephones. Murdoch is a warmonger deluxe. And this fiasco is kind of like going after Al Capone for tax evasion instead of murder.
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Democracy should more appropriately be referred to as Corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power. - George Washington

Maestro · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 6:44 am Post subject:

However, if, like Al Capone, Murdoch ends up in US jail, what difference does it make how he got there. To quote a movie title, 'whatever works'.

I absolutely agree about the sacrocanct nature of 9/11 victims families. Even Ann Coulter stumbled on that one (By the way, wonder what ever happened to her??).

This is especially true now when the USA government needs a scapegoat for everything. Murdoch may just fall into that category. If so, good luck! Rupert. I do hope you get a cell next to Conrad. Then you guys can compare notes as to who is the sleaziest of them all... Jail

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voice of the damned · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 8:44 am Post subject:

bshmr · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:08 pm Post subject:

Every wire service, except BBC, is reporting that R. Brooks has been arrested so evidence of crime and executive involvement must be significant, beyond sufficient.

As for Murdoch's media 'web', BSkyB and FOX News have been reported to be twins or close siblings. Surely, many are expecting investigation and expose to sspread throughout the Murdoch empire.

FWIW, the FOX Network had seen declining market-share, which leads to declining revenue, in the USA. The appeal of their nutty conservative punditry and slanted news programming narrows as does the number station/brand loyal viewers hanging around for their other programming.

I expect this to impact throughout the FOX conglomerate. Local FOX Network affiliates appear to be screwed as there aren't any major/national alternatives un-contracted in this and other metro markets. Well, Pacifica might be available <VBG> plus something other than Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN) which has 5 offerings 24/7.

sparqui · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:50 pm Post subject:

BBC is now reporting it:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14178051
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“If my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a tractor.”

-- Gilles Duceppe

voice of the damned · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 8:18 pm Post subject:

And now the London police commisoner is out...

bshmr · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 10:15 pm Post subject:

Ah, and the USAn can prosecute its corporations and citizens for all sorts of things regardless of where the behavior occurred -- sex acts in SEA or bribery anywhere in the universe. Perhaps we will see everything FOX squirm for more than decline in market share.

Maestro · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 5:21 am Post subject:

Yes, one would think that a lot of Fox News folks types are holding their breath. Find one 9/11 victim's family that had their phone hacked, and you can kiss that network goodbye. Of course there's no reason to suppose that Fox operated any differently than the rest of the conglomerate.

Meanwhile, the broader picture, of the cozy relationship between an extreme right-wing media company, the police, and the politicians is being avoided like the plague. Personally, I think that whole issue speaks directly to democracy, and threats thereto. After all, if you can't trust your police force to be more or less neutral, and if you can't trust them to undertake investigations without sabotaging same, the basis of democracy is gone.

Today on CBC Cross Country Checkup, they addressed the hacking scandal (why has no one suggested 'hackergate'? or maybe someone has. If not, I got dibs).

But in true CBC fashion, they didn't address the overt threat to democracy, they talked only about individuals privacy concerns (as if there is some level of privacy...somewhere...). A classic case of examining the trees in minute detail, while missing the forest completely.

Oh yes, one more thing. Rebekah Brooks was arrested, so she will be unable to testify in front of the parliamentary committee examining hackergate. According to the report I heard on the radio, she had been released 'on bail', but no charges were laid. That's a new one on me. Normally bail is only required to ensure the appearance in court of those charged with a crime. That whole episode stinks to high heaven. A neat way of trying to prevent parliament from examining her, without actually charging her with a crime.
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Rufus Polson · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 7:02 am Post subject:

Why does having been arrested stop her from talking to parliament? Can't they talk to whoever they damn well please?

ronb: I always rather liked Hugh Grant.

Overall, I've been astonished that this thing has been doing so much damage. I mean, here we have a guy who has massive money, power and influence, his media empire a key for British politicians who want to get elected, and he's having this much trouble with a scandal? You'd think he'd be able to get it, if not hushed up, at any rate softpedalled. This article suggests a possible reason why:

Slumberjack · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 10:53 am Post subject:

bshmr · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 2:26 pm Post subject:

The 'phone-hacking' and bribes have been in the UK news, etc. for a few years. The straw-that-broke-the-camel's-back was deleting messages left for a missing girl IN ORDER to record (and hype) more messages from panicky friends and family and which created an illusion that the girl had listened to and then cleared her voice-mail -- changed a valid kidnap/murder investigation into a ho-hum run-a-way for a while.

It appears that corruption and invasion of privacy are acceptable in the UK, as long as false inferences aren't caused and then crushed. <g>

Maestro · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:13 pm Post subject:

Another casualty:

Phone-hacking whistleblower found dead

voice of the damned · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:51 pm Post subject:

TS. · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 10:18 pm Post subject:

bshmr · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 10:54 pm Post subject:

Cameron being too tight with Murdoch's crowd looks too 'moonie' to me. Rev. Moon's group has always 'loved up' politicians before congregation-building.

voice of the damned · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 1:16 am Post subject:

Another one bites the dust...

al-Qa'bong · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 3:15 am Post subject:

Good gravy; next they'll find that Wills and Kate were involved.
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Timebandit · Fulltime enMasse Member Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Posts: 854

I was in the UK for a little over 2 weeks (got home on Sunday), and the press was roaring about this the whole time. Wow. What happened with the Dowlers was horribly cruel - false hope their girl was still alive because someone was accessing her voice mail.

There's also the possibility that they broke the news about Gordon Brown's baby being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis by hacking his phone. Brooks actually called him up to tell him they were running the story and asked for comment - herself.

I'm finding it interesting how they're going to handle Coulson, who was editorial staff (high up in management) and who is currently working for PM Cameron in communications. Also Cameron's admission that he and Brooks are/were friends.

Caissa · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 4:24 pm Post subject:

Murdoch has just been "attacked" with a shaving cream pie. Story developing at BBC and CBC.

Sibjyn · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 4:28 pm Post subject:

Saw a funny bit on Colbert last night. Showed a clip from Fakes News with some talking head moaning about how everybody was paying attention to the hacking scandal, but nobody was talking about how Citibank was hacked. Colbert's response, News Corp hacked people's phones, Citibank was hacked, so they're both victims of being in a sentence with the word "hacked" in it.

Rufus Polson · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 5:04 pm Post subject:

News of the World whistleblower found dead

Rufus Polson · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 5:09 pm Post subject:

sparqui · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 7:48 pm Post subject:

How can a death be inexplicable and yet foul play is ruled out from the get go. Reminds me of the strange "suicide" of Dr. David Kelly.
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“If my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a tractor.”

-- Gilles Duceppe

Senor Magoo · He's got a big one Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Posts: 8700

bshmr · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 12:54 am Post subject:

Local FOX affiliate's exclusive <g> coverage:

Murdoch attacked as defends self to UK parliament
Date:Today 13:26

Fidel · Fulltime enMasse Member Joined: 04 May 2006 Posts: 812

voice of the damned · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 7:47 am Post subject:

Rufus Polson · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 4:55 pm Post subject:

Indeed. We're used to the state spying on people. We have begun to get used to the state getting private concerns to spy on people for them (e.g. telecoms, ISPs). The bottom line remains that information is being collected for the state because of state interests/concerns/power tripping.

With Murdoch, what we have is private firms getting the state to spy on people to serve private interests. And it looks as if in some cases, it's private firms getting state actors (cops) to spy on other state actors (politicians, probably top-echelon bureaucrats) so that the private firms can use the information against the state. This is an inversion we're not really used to.

voice of the damned · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 11:49 pm Post subject:

Just as a general update, in the past few days, Murdoch has testified in front of parliament(saying he had no idea what was going on), gotten pied in the face, been defended in the aforementioned incident by his wife(prompting a spate of asinine "Dragon Lady" racial stereotyping BS in certain media outlets).

And David Cameron has now stated for the parliamentary record that he "regrets" hiring Andy Coulson.

link

Maestro · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 6:33 am Post subject:

Murdoch, pere et fils, are now presenting themselves as victims. An editorial in the Wall Street Journal, one of Murdoch's US properties openly called this whole thing a product of the 'liberal' media, jealous of Murdoch's success.

Like Conrad Black, they're victims of crusaders - legions of lefties out to get them.

If I was that delusional, I'd probably be put somewhere for my own protection. Oh right, they did do that with Conrad... Very Happy

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Maestro · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 11:52 pm Post subject:

Another take on Rupert Murdoch from a completely different source. Bob Park. A little intro for those unfamiliar with him:

Bob Park