Writing Worth Reading
Writing Worth Reading
A tabloid phone-hacking scandal has left Rupert Murdoch's British media empire tottering. Can the Murdochs contain the fallout from the revelations? And what has the scandal revealed about the state of journalism and politics today? Read on to find out
"He is moved by money, by his family and by newspapers. He doesn't care about anything else"
Floundering, obfuscation and denial. Excellent compilation of video evidence to parliamentary committee
"If it turns out that I've been lied to, that would be a moment for a profound apology"
The Murdochs face a parliamentary committee, and some persistent questioning
[It is] less the desire to promote an ideology, than to contain all ideologies for the purpose of profit, with entertainment being the preferred container
"If the fall of the house of Murdoch is a tragedy, it's the feel-good tragedy of the century"
On the sparring and jockeying for position among Rupert Murdoch's children. And, when their spouses are included, there's plenty of ill-feeling to go around. An enjoyable weekend read, if a little short on new information
By 2009, life was getting lonely for The Guardian, whose reporter Nick Davies had been pursuing the case doggedly. "Brooks had told colleagues that the story was going to end with 'Alan Rusbridger on his knees, begging for mercy'"
Murdochs forced to face MPs. "Their performance strongly suggested that the besuited consiglieri in the row behind them had earned their fees. There were signs of two kinds of advice – a PR strategy and a legal defence"
Annotated letter by former News of the World royal reporter, whose conviction for phone-hacking started the scandal. Alleges phone-hacking was widely discussed in editorial meetings, approved by senior figures
Profile of the woman at eye of the tabloid phone-hacking storm. "She is not required to answer to anybody whose name is not Murdoch. When the old man enters a crowded room, Brooks is immediately at his side"
Terrific denunciation of state of relations between over-mighty press and timorous politicians at Westminster. Much through the lens of the rise and fall of Rebekah Brooks, "one of the great adventuresses of her era"
On Britain's phone-hacking scandal. Obviously, News of the World and News International are to blame. But so are politicians of both sides, for being frightened of Rupert Murdoch. And other newspapers, for keeping quiet about it
Murdoch rarely keeps his word. Exploits the miseries of others. Betrays every political leader who trusts him. Malicious myth-maker. All his instincts point downmarket. But he's a great businessman. And probably not a criminal
From our archive: Film-maker looks at how BBC depicted Rupert Murdoch since time of his first big British deal, a bid for "News of the World" in 1968. Interesting text, but real joy comes with embedded TV clips going back 40 years
Painstaking investigation into alleged illegal telephone tapping by Rupert Murdoch's News of the World, with British police turning a blind eye. Ex-editor at centre of storm now adviser to British PM
Superb, excoriating attack on News Corp. Not just a UK issue. Says America is in denial about extent of Murdoch empire's negative influence. And there's a lot more to it than mere tabloid vulgarity and right-wing attack-dog politics
"Too many of us have winked in amusement at the salaciousness without considering the larger corruption of journalism and politics on both sides of the Atlantic." Powerful critique of Murdoch empire with a sting in the tail
Leading British conservative says Murdoch scandal, financial crisis have shaken even his faith in capitalism. "The rich run a global system that allows them to accumulate capital and pay the lowest possible price for labour"
Long, engaging retrospective of Rupert Murdoch's "strange, covert reign over British public life". Written by former employee of one of his newspapers. Focuses on Murdoch's outsider mentality, contempt for old British elite
On Rupert Murdoch, Piers Morgan, Kelvin MacKenzie, privacy, power, and British society. "It was Murdoch's genius, and also the cause of his current woes, to bring the revelry to a head and give the people what they asked for"
Chomsky was right, at least about News Corp: the mass media is a propaganda machine. News Corp propaganda was all about maintaining Rupert Murdoch's power. Now the spell is broken. Taboo is gone. We can ask how it ever happened
Warm tribute to former NotW journalist, recently found dead, by reporter who wouldn't let go of the phone-hacking story. Worth reading for light it sheds on vicious culture of tabloid journalism
Profile of David Brock, the man Rupert Murdoch paid $86,000 not to have lunch with. Made his name as Clinton-hating polemicist at American Spectator. Converted to the left. Now runs Media Matters, anti-Fox media watchdog
