Hundreds more victims discovered in UK phone hacking scandal
About Peter LakePeter Lake hails from the Midwest, but is now living in Germany. He is a professional writer who spent many years honing his craft at a well known newspaper. Peter originally sent an article to us through the citizen journalist program and decided to stay. We are glad he did.
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Rupert Murdoch and his gang of ne’er do wells’ have been busy indeed, busy hacking the phones of Britain’s unsuspecting citizens. The rabidly Right leaning media mogul, owner of FOX News, the Wall Street Journal, and other high profile media outlets, holds sway over his empire, and the buck stops at his desk, but for now investigators are trying to sift through phone records of hundreds of potential victims.
A sign for the News of the World newspaper is seen outside the offices of its owner News International Ltd., in London. in this file photo. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
The News of the World publisher, News International, is facing dozens of lawsuits related to phone hacking, and hundreds more victims could demand millions, and millions of extra pounds in damages.
Coincidentally, the revelation came on the same day British politicians said they had struck a last-minute deal over press regulation. “I think we have got an agreement which protects the freedom of the press … but also protects the rights of people not to have their lives turned upside down,” a senior opposition leader said.
The new regulator would be independent of the media and would have the power to force newspapers to print prominent apologies. Submitting to the regulatory regime would be optional, but media groups staying outside the system could risk substantial fines if they get stories wrong.
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Jim Moore
March 18, 2013 at 3:58 pm
Will Murdoch or his minions of Mordor face jail time or similar for this criminal act? I doubt it.
Much as with the weasel that committed fraud to fabricate a story about ACORN, fines and legal settlements impose little pain on such large entities. The simple act of settling and closing a case will actually cause their stocks to soar.
Michael John Scott
March 21, 2013 at 1:34 pm
“minions of Mordor.” Love that Tolkien reference
Norman Rampart
March 18, 2013 at 7:31 pm
It appears a compromise has been reached via Royal Charter rather than statute and I’m relieved.
We must never allow politicians to have any control over the press – even at the cost of having to put up with Murdoch.
Freedom of the press is essential which, sadly, means we occasionally have to put up with Murdoch and his ilk.
A bit like freedom of speach I guess. To protect it you have to accept you don’t always like what you’re hearing.
After all – our press exposed politicians fiddling their expense. If politicians were in control…..
A truly independent regulator with ‘teeth’ is ideal. The politicians are not involved and the Murdochs of this world can be brought to book – well I live in hope!