Posted on 04/25/2012 11:28:04 PM PDT by Olog-hai
Rupert Murdoch is used to slipping into Downing Street by the back door for discreet meetings with prime ministers, but there was no such privacy on Wednesday when he faced a grilling about his political influence in the full glare of the world's media. …
Questioned under oath at a judicial inquiry prompted by revelations of endemic phone-hacking at his News of the World tabloid, which he shut down last July, Murdoch gave a confident performance in which he amiably played down the power he holds.
If his enemies had hoped to see him squirm under the forensic questioning of the inquiry's top prosecutor, especially after a memorably unimpressive performance before British lawmakers last July with his son James, they were disappointed. … Under questioning last July, Murdoch had looked old and tired, and said it was the humblest day of his life, as the extent of public outrage at the way the News of the World had treated ordinary people as well as celebrities sank in. But at Wednesday's hearing at London's Royal Courts of Justice, one of the few times Murdoch has been hauled into any court, he appeared in command of the proceedings and quickly won over lawyers, journalists and the public alike. …
Murdoch's many detractors say he uses his vast multi-media empire to promote his right-wing views, further his commercial interests and gain covert influence among the rich and powerful for himself and his children.
The media mogul conceded that politicians often courted him, but shrugged at the suggestion that his papers could swing British elections.
"We don't have that sort of power," he said, disowning the famous "It's The Sun Wot Won It" front page run by his favorite tabloid on the morning after the Conservatives unexpectedly won the 1992 election. …
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Maybe, but Murdoch is certainly being disingenous when he says the media “do not have that kind (to sway elections) of power”. They most certainly do.
So Murdoch did sway elections? He doesn’t have the kind of power the left-wing media has. It’s the left-wing media that is influencing this big drag-through-the-courts scenario all over nothing.
Over nothing? Millions paid out for hacking people’s phones, the most successful newspaper in the UK shut down and journalists arrested for interfering in murder investigations and paying bribes to LEO’s. Sure sounds like more than nothing to me.
In the US they outlawed scanners for the communication bands and made it very difficult for regular people to legally tune in. However it looks like the law finally caught up.
Yep, if the issue spreads to the US, watch for the SHTF in a spectacular way.
pot wishing the kettle was black
Until the AP is prosecuted, there can be no peace
' Murdoch is contemptible. His outlets primarily are sensationalist, and a major factor in the decline of public morality. They don't care a toss about truth or lies, right and wrong, or even right and left. They have switched sides several times and have a huge influence over public opinion. Now, call me old fashioned, but I think the people should be choosing the government of the day, not some rich unelected and unaccountable Press Baron. I want the politicians I elect to answer to me, not to Murdoch.
So you believe the left-wing media then?
So you believe the left-wing media then?
Stop banging on about the left wing media.
Firstly, this is a Commons enquiry. That means it is a CROSS-PARTY enquiry.
Secondly, what Murdoch and the News of the World did disgusted ALL of Britain, including millions of Conservatives like myself and Vanders. The NOTW hacked into the mobile phone of a child murder victim (13 year old Millie Dowler), at the time making her parents and the police think she was still alive which
Yes, the left hates Murdoch. But frankly so does most of the UK. Many of us on the right dislike him as well. He is a grubby little man who panders to the lowest common denominator. And as the NOTW scandal shows, his media will stoop to news depths of depravity to get a story. YOU are not British. You havent the first clue about the NOTW, how Murdoch’s UK media runs, and how the British people regard Murdoch. So dont be so arrogant as to tell Vanders9, who IS British, that this is a leftist witchhunt. Because here’s a another Brit to tell you its ISNT.
Witchhunt?. After the hacking of Millie Dowler’s phone, the vast majority of Britain wanted to lynch the ****.
Sorry, can’t stop “banging on” about it. Partisan politics in the UK, just like in the USA (or anywhere!), have lost their meaning what with so many CINOs in the Conservative Party. Also looks like the case against Murdoch himself (primarily a left-wing witchhunt) is falling apart, unless you think he personally hired everyone involved in the hacking incident and it was a personal crusade on his part (BTW, I remember the NOTW from the “other island” in the 1970s/80s and it was never a respectable newspaper no matter who owned it). When the UK acts like the EU, the UK no longer exists. And maybe it’s well past time to get rid of state-run media?
Not often, depends on the story. In this case, I believe what News International themselves and the Murdoch’s are saying. You must have decided what to believe beforehand and are going to stick to it regardless of what comes out, right?
Not often, depends on the story. In this case, I believe what News International themselves and the Murdoch’s are saying. You must have decided what to believe beforehand and are going to stick to it regardless of what comes out, right?
Frankly, it does conservatives no good at all to try and defend what is indefensible. Murdoch may not be personally to blame for the shenanigans at News International, but as the owner he is responsible. And we are talking about long term systematic hacking, breaking and entering and bribery by several Murdoch titles. I find it very hard to believe he didnt know what was going on.
To reiterate, Murdoch and his news outlets may not be part of the "left-wing media" you keep harping on about, but they are quite categorically NOT on our side either. Although most of them generally back the Conservative line most of the time, they do it in such a way that it brings nothing but disrepute to Conservative arguments.
The guy is a sleaze merchant.
I do see what you’re saying. I don’t think that the left would acknowledge credibility of the conservative position in any case though. Here’s hoping the Telegraph, Daily Mail and even the Daily Express remain a bulwark against the left without the need of Murdoch anyhow.
I appreciate your understanding on this. I do know what you are trying to say as well - this can seem like a left-wing witchhunt, because they really do hate Murdoch and his works.
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