Murdoch Mayhem

The lead article in today’s New York Times, “Tabloid Sought Phone Messages of Investigators,” details increasing complications in the new investigation of the British publication, News of the World, for hacking into prominent citizens’ cellphones. The original inquiry in 2006 was concluded after revelations about the publication’s illegal attempts to find out more about the queen.

Now, it appears that a list of 8-to-10 pages of victims was compiled and that some of them included the investigators of the publication itself. These senior investigators from Scotland Yard and the Metropolitan Police included Andy Hayman and John Yates, one involved in an extramarital affair and the other using frequent flier miles from his career for personal vacations. Apparently, other police officials were included in the list as well plus former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The new investigation of the News of the World cellphone hacking will be delivering additional indictments soon, and the web of the publication’s influence seems to extend throughout official British society. The new merger of Rupert Murdoch’s empire with British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) will now almost certainly be prohibited as a result.

As one who is appalled at the role Fox News has played in American society, polarizing our news outlets and engaging in outright distortion, I can’t say I’m unhappy about these new difficulties for Rupert Murdoch. Perhaps, it’s just his many deeds finally catching up with him.