Rupert Murdoch's Downfall-Leveson enquiry

[captaincloser]

As this is a business post about the person who has decided each and every election outcome for the past 40 years I fully expect it to be moved to the Time Out section to join the lemonade stall posts.

Murdoch's influence in the UK has been shameful and if there is any justice this enquiry by Leveson with Murdoch giving evidence under oath today will be the beginning of the unraveling of 40 years of political chicanery by the Australian king-maker who has single handidly rigged the outcome of all elections in the UK in my lifetime.

Harriet Harman made a huge mistake last night in callng for the head of a Tory minister. He will have his say in front of Leveson and then we'll see if his head rolls...I think not. Meanwhile Labour have so many skeletons in their cupboard it will be a surprise if they do not implode under the weight of evidence launched against Murdoch. Tony Blair, Mandelson and all the stooges of Labour will be worried.

This stage of the enquiry follows the pretty tame phone hacking hulabaloo and the very serious police association with newspapers section. The political bit focused on now is not very sexy but there will be Mps from three generations glued to every word Murdoch utters.

The Labour party are due for one hell of a kicking today if Mr Jay can get Murdoch to lose his temper...which should not be difficult. This will be a very different Murdoch to the one in front of MPs a few months ago. Dont feel sorry for the old guy, he is a wily fox and is going the way of all king makers... Son James will be ripped up in the American courts and is finished as far as the dynasty is concerned.

Also the really big shareholders willnow kill off Rupert..(maybe not literally) is my guess. This is one occasion where the phrase 'past his sell by date' is a cliche worth mentioning. Along with the other cliched buzz-word 'toxic...'

Watch and learn is my advice...great theatre on telly today.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

David Cameron's Downfall - Leveson enquiry ?

 

[Beachcomber]

Wouldn't it be great if he let rip and let all the skeletons out of the closet!

More likely he'll be keeping shtum and making those he could have dropped in it more than aware of the favour he has done them and will be round to collect sometime soon.

What amazes me is that so many people are acting like this was a big mystery - that no-one knew of these insider dealings and backhanders.

 

[Moneyman]

Oh goodbye news of the world hello same guys working on sun on sunday with same readership and ownership.
Hardly armageddon.

 

[MASSEY]

I personally think that it will be a damp squib, as when a load of people are in something together it's just best to keep quiet.
One scenario is he does not drop anyone in it and they will smooth over his impending problems in America

Yes i agree. The wood work is well and truly infested. If they were to expose everything fully, new prisons would have to be built to house the scum.

 

[FreelanceSoftwareDeveloper]

I really don't get a lot of the hysteria around this. The Murdochs are just a famous name that the Sheeple can link to 'bad things'.

It wouldn't of made any difference who was at the top of the organisations running the media, they all work the same and will continue to do so.

Newspapers give the public what they want as much as they tell the public what they want.

Is the Leverson Enquiry taxpayers money well spent?????? It seems to have turned into a News of the World style article, all about which celebrities are going to be turning up, lies, sleaze and corruption.

 

[captaincloser]

I really don't get a lot of the hysteria around this. The Murdochs are just a famous name that the Sheeple can link to 'bad things'.

It wouldn't of made any difference who was at the top of the organisations running the media, they all work the same and will continue to do so.

Newspapers give the public what they want as much as they tell the public what they want.

Is the Leverson Enquiry taxpayers money well spent?????? It seems to have turned into a News of the World style article, all about which celebrities are going to be turning up, lies, sleaze and corruption.

Disagree with the above for some fairly obvious reasons...

Errm. Yes you could be correct but this process will, in the end, give some insight as to why this country is up s***t creek politically and while it will continue to be so why the gormless man in the street cares for little more than Katy Price, bosoms, and his 43"plasma tv (In any order)

People cannot have it both ways..going into lynch mob mode with parliamentary expenses and then because the Leveson enquiry is dry and no bosoms on show posting as about 5 have on here already. Now dont tell me none of you were part of the expenses lynch mob ?

Adam Smith has resigned as a direct result of yesterday and of course Cameron may be implicated to the point of resignation (unlikely) but never on the scale that Labour party will be....Blair,Mandelson,Alsistair Campbell should be marched out of Connaught square (Blair) and taken to Traitors Gate-but it's all opinion and a great story/expose even if it does not get much excitement going in the suburbs.I guess you guys liked the idea of an Auzzie being self-appointed puppeteer of our politics for 40 years ? I bet you didnt even know.

Solwly slowly cathchee monkey. Mr Jay is running an enquiry and will not go into attack dog mode as a trial barrister would...but he will get nearer the truth is my guess and Murdoch will get shorter tempered as the day goes on...

 

Disagree with the above for some fairly obvious reasons...

Errm. Yes you could be correct but this process will, in the end, give some insight as to why this country is up s***t creek politically and while it will continue to be so why the gormless man in the street cares for little more than Katy Price, bosoms, and his 43"plasma tv (In any order)

People cannot have it both ways..going into lynch mob mode with parliamentary expenses and then because the Leveson enquiry is dry and no bosoms on show posting as about 5 have on here already. Now dont tell me none of you were part of the expenses lynch mob ?

Adam Smith has resigned as a direct result of yesterday and of course Cameron may be implicated to the point of resignation (unlikely) but never on the scale that Labour party will be....Blair,Mandelson,Alsistair Campbell should be marched out of Connaught square (Blair) and taken to Traitors Gate-but it's all opinion and a great story/expose even if it does not get much excitement going in the suburbs.I guess you guys liked the idea of an Auzzie being self-appointed puppeteer of our politics for 40 years ? I bet you didnt even know.

Solwly slowly cathchee monkey. Mr Jay is running an enquiry and will not go into attack dog mode as a trial barrister would...but he will get nearer the truth is my guess and Murdoch will get shorter tempered as the day goes on...

I do have to ask why you are so focused on uncle rupert.?:|

Earl

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

The press and the government have always had a very incestuous relationship - it's just that we never really had it spelled out to us before.
Tony Blair is godfather to Rupert Murdoch's daughter (now aged about 9 years old, so would have accepted that "honour" whilst he was PM)
David Cameron (in 2010) had a Christmas Dinner with Rebekah Brooks and James Murdoch. Was this just a potential PM getting the press on side? Or a demonstration of how closely woven the lines of politics & press are? Either way, in the light of the NOTW scandal it does not reflect well on Cameron.

We will never have a political system or party in place that does not use the press to influence/inform the public which, I guess, is how it has to be if we are to find out what is happening. The problem is that neither the press nor the politicians are averse to underhand persuasion ... generally, we the public don't realise we've been duped until it's too late.

 

[captaincloser]

I do have to ask why you are so focused on uncle rupert.?:|

Earl

Whoops, sorry old chap I thought this was a business forum and just restarting an unfinished debate. I knew someone would come along with this question. May I suggest you pop off this thread and back to the lemonade stall department? It is not obligatory to read or comment on any posts on here and you should exercise your right of choice.

Personally my agenda is a great interest in the attempt to take over BSkyB which is the current aim of Murdoch and I think it is right to continue a debate wherever possible on his familys suitability as right and proper people to be in this position. Its one of the largest attempted business takeovers in British history and as such...it's business and this is UKBF..forgive me but I think there is a connection .Life is not all t'internet and lemondae stalls you know.

I was a student of Economic history and find the Murdoch history fascinating so please if you need a reason for my indulgence in this subject I give you that. I find him brilliant and also I find him an enigma worthy of discussion on a business forum, but guess I am in a minority of one.

 

Whoops, sorry old chap I thought this was a business forum and just restarting an unfinished debate. I knew someone would come along with this question. May I suggest you pop off this thread and back to the lemonade stall department? It is not obligatory to read or comment on any posts on here and you should exercise your right of choice.

Personally my agenda is a great interest in the attempt to take over BSkyB which is the current aim of Murdoch and I think it is right to continue a debate wherever possible on his familys suitability as right and proper people to be in this position. Its one of the largest attempted business takeovers in British history and as such...it's business and this is UKBF..forgive me but I think there is a connection .Life is not all t'internet and lemondae stalls you know.

I was a student of Economic history and find the Murdoch history fascinating so please if you need a reason for my indulgence in this subject I give you that. I find him brilliant and also I find him an enigma worthy of discussion on a business forum, but guess I am in a minority of one.

Have you thought of taking up tiddlywinks.?:|

Earl

 

[captaincloser]

Have you thought of taking up tiddlywinks.?:|

Earl

Sorry Earl, but I will not be joining you in your 'shallow end' infinity pool.
Hop it.

 

[gordano]

What really matters is whether all of this will make a difference. Short term there will be one or two resginations (policitcal and business) but long term will things really change?

 

[captaincloser]

What really matters is whether all of this will make a difference. Short term there will be one or two resginations (policitcal and business) but long term will things really change?

You could extend that analogy to 'would it make a difference if we disband cold case police investigations'..what's the point bringing an old criminal to justice? Not saying (yet) that Ruoert and James are criminals..

As a nation we are now all but stripped of any integrity so in that respect it will make no difference. Apathy rules...oh and the Sun newspaper of course.

 

As a nation we are now all but stripped of any integrity so in that respect it will make no difference. Apathy rules...oh and the Sun newspaper of course.

So capitalism wins the day yet again.

Earl

 

[captaincloser]

So capitalism wins the day yet again.

Earl

What part of 'hop it' eludes you ?

 

[FreelanceSoftwareDeveloper]

Turns out he hasn't done anything wrong and has never asked any Prime Minister for favours.

 

[captaincloser]

Rupert and James have clearly spent months with New York lawyers and image consultants. He was a lot smarter than last time on UK tv. As an enquiry into history it was all a bit general and he had an easy ride. Tomorrow will be a lot tougher as it all gets brought up to date- the here and now..today was about history tomorrow is about current affairs. Someone has really helped him with anger management and only the mention of mad Gordon's name very nearly tipped him over the edge but he held it well.

There was endless referrals to different books people have written and it was easy for Mr Murdoch to flick this stuff away with one word answers.

Yep, dullish, drawn out and yet very professional but dont underestimate the inquisitor Mr Jay...tomorrow could be like Fireworks night. Leveson himself was a bit quiet I thought and my hope is that he is not in awe of the old Australian ringmaster. Rupert gets an 8/10 for today and would have won some over as he does. But its all a bit sugary and unbelievable...but hard to contest when everything is so general.

Lets see how he handles the really pongy stuff ?

 

What part of 'hop it' eludes you ?

If you wish to know how to remove please mail for full instructions.

 

[captaincloser]

Moving forward... Seems it was not quite so dull as Gordon Brown makes a statement this evening from his lockup ward to say that Murdoch is a liar and that Broon did not declare war on him. As Broon has no friends left, not even Scottish ones, the veracity of his outburst will soon become clear. I think Rupert may be in trouble on this one. Broon of course will never be let out again.

Also another poor performance by Ed Milliband at PM's question time when a cooler hand could have scored big points against the tories.

 

[captaincloser]

We have a free press so you and I can read what we like which is good. A lot of those connected with the Sun/NOW from lawyers to journalists will one day not see much sun though once the US legal system gets them in their sights ! I think the following may be a spoof..maybe.

/

 

[captaincloser]

^^^^ it's not a spoof !

http://www.prosecutenewscorp.com/

 

^^^^ it's not a spoof !

http://www.prosecutenewscorp.com/

Its America of course its a spoof.

We are talking about a country who hosts the richest company in the world which makes toys.

Earl

 

[captaincloser]

Its America of course its a spoof.

We are talking about a country who hosts the richest company in the world which makes toys.

Earl

I am not saying you are wrong..though the Lord only knows how often you are
D) but isnt this quite a bit of effort for a spoof ?The links seem to work..
I will bow to your knowledge of t'internet if it is.What gives it away ? I am a dumbass as you know..

 

[Beachcomber]

We have a free press so you and I can read what we like which is good........

/

Please tell me you're being ironic!

 

[captaincloser]

Please tell me you're being ironic!

Yep.Just seeing who is awake at the back.

 

[captaincloser]

^^^^
My point above is that Murdoch is having as big a laugh now as Benny Hill ever got from the UK public. Back at Rupert Towers they will be guffawing as only Australians can....long into the night but he'll be sharp as a razor for Friday morning.

 

[SteveHippel]

I just wonder how many of you guys who are seemingly unhappy about the phone hacking scandal, police scandal and now the political scandal still have Sky TV and still buy their newspapers.
At the end of the day, their future lies in the hands of the consumer. If you are still putting money in their pockets, you have to ask yourselves, do you have a right to complain.

 

I just wonder how many of you guys who are seemingly unhappy about the phone hacking scandal, police scandal and now the political scandal still have Sky TV and still buy their newspapers.
At the end of the day, their future lies in the hands of the consumer. If you are still putting money in their pockets, you have to ask yourselves, do you have a right to complain.

Never try to reason with a plonkers logic.:|

Earl

 

[captaincloser]

I just wonder how many of you guys who are seemingly unhappy about the phone hacking scandal, police scandal and now the political scandal still have Sky TV and still buy their newspapers.
At the end of the day, their future lies in the hands of the consumer. If you are still putting money in their pockets, you have to ask yourselves, do you have a right to complain.

I think I am possibly the only person on UKBF who has expressed any unhappiness around Newscorp recently and a few seem to have agreed so your post is aimed at me n'est pas? As Porot would say.

This is an enquiry.The enquiry is throwing up possible scandals and they will be dealt with later..it is not about scandals it is an enquiry seeking information about news media in general and is not confined to Sky.

I buy different papers for different subjects.For example you wouldnt buy the Sun or the Times for this subject and you wouldnt read the Mail either. You need the Independent and The Guardian for the best coverage simply because there are allegedly less skeletons within these papers. You would not buy the Telegraph as the Owners the Barclay brothers are deeply suspect shadowy characters also.Nothing to do with these scandals ..they are just very odd.

As for Sky, I dont have it except the News via Freeview.I have no requirement for Sky but this enquiry would not stop me buying it.Nobody has yet been sent down on this one so best not to jump the gun..and frankly as we all know it's scandal that makes the media world go round so expecting people to act any differently than they have since the Caxton printing press was invented is naiive.Probably more people will buy Murdoch than ever before..human nature.

Neither am I 'unhappy' about it. This is a case of the righteous being righted in my eyes.

 

So lets get this right a group of MP's have decided that Rupert is not fit to run a business.

So none of them has had a proper job,let alone run a business.

And these are the experts that have decided that a man who employs 51,000 people and turns over 40 billion a year is not qualified to run a company.

Very interesting.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17915053

Earl

 

^^^^
My point above is that Murdoch is having as big a laugh now as Benny Hill ever got from the UK public. Back at Rupert Towers they will be guffawing as only Australians can....long into the night but he'll be sharp as a razor for Friday morning.

The guy is 80 years old and of course his memory will not be all that.

you wait and see.

Earl

 

[Psl]

I am not a fan of Rupert Murdoch but he will weather this storm.I also find it bizarre that MPs can brand him unfit! Since when was it the remit of select committee's to consider who is or isn't fit to be at the helm of an international company?

 

[10032012]

I am not a fan of Rupert Murdoch but he will weather this storm.I also find it bizarre that MPs can brand him unfit! Since when was it the remit of select committee's to consider who is or isn't fit to be at the helm of an international company?

I think the whole "unfit" nonsense was a weak insult. The phrase was quoted throughout the world on TV, Radio and newspapers. Everything is happening so slow... its all a cover up any how. They will let it run the full course... sort of reminds me of the MP expenses scandal.... ANGER ... calm .... ANGER (when expenses reforms were made more favourable) ... calm - now everyone has vented and forgot about it, not willing to take any action against it. Surely a few months in jail for the very few MPs fiddling thousands of pounds in expenses versus years for stealing a pair of jeans in a riot... where MPs dictated to the courts to forget sentencing guidelines and give extremely harsh sentences.

It all rests on the Americans... if they chose to hack away at News Corp; at current they do not appear remotely interested in doing so. Bottom line is, a country full of zombies looking upon newspapers to decide whom to vote for... rather sad and pathetic in all honesty. I do not think newspapers should be allowed to be politically biased anyhow.

 

So there is 50 million for Leveson inquiry.

40 million being on police enquiries.:|

which is all about minor celebs having there phones hacked.

It cost 40 quid to feed a child in africa for six months.

Give me strength.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/leveson-inquiry-phone-hacking-probe-to-cost-the-met-40m-1-2204178

Earl

 

[captaincloser]

So there is 50 million for Leveson inquiry.

40 million being on police enquiries.:|

which is all about minor celebs having there phones hacked.



Earl

er...no. The Leveson enquiry is not about phone hacking.

Phone hacking is a component of the enquiry-but it is not the only or the main subject.

Go do some proper homework and whilst your at it bone up on Alex Salmonds relationship with the Murdoch empire then come back and tell us about Africa.

 

[directmarketingadvice]

So lets get this right a group of MP's have decided that Rupert is not fit to run a business.

So none of them has had a proper job,let alone run a business.

Let alone done a competent job of running things themselves.

Here in Edinburgh, what was meant to be a £375m tram project is now estimated to end up costing £1,000m, will cover much less of the city, and will be years later than planned. (A delay that's causing huge disruption - which also has a financial cost.)

All in all, we're probably looking at £700m+ being wasted by political incompetence (compared to the cost of doing it right).

Which, in a city of 500,000 people, works out as £1,400 a head.

(As Red Adair said, "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do a job, try hiring an amateur.")

When will these Labour & Lib Dem MPs - who added this "fit and proper" remark and whose parties are, unsurprisingly, responsible for the Edinburgh Trams - start looking at themselves and ask if they're "fit and proper"?

Steve

 

[FreelanceSoftwareDeveloper]

I just wonder how many of you guys who are seemingly unhappy about the phone hacking scandal, police scandal and now the political scandal still have Sky TV and still buy their newspapers.
At the end of the day, their future lies in the hands of the consumer. If you are still putting money in their pockets, you have to ask yourselves, do you have a right to complain.

I have Sky TV, absolutely love it as a sports fan. I think Sky getting F1 was great as an F1 fan, the amount they have invested in their football and cricket coverage is huge.

I have no problems with Murdoch at all, yes some of the phone hacking was wrong but I don't think the head of News Corp spends his days looking over the shoulders of editors and questioning where a news story came from.

Regarding him taking over BSkyB, i'd like to ask those who oppose it to name the person/people who own the shares he wants to buy. I haven't got a clue but I doubt anyone who has made a success in media has done it any differently from Murdoch, there only tends to be one winning formula with most businesses.

So lets get this right a group of MP's have decided that Rupert is not fit to run a business.

So none of them has had a proper job,let alone run a business.

And these are the experts that have decided that a man who employs 51,000 people and turns over 40 billion a year is not qualified to run a company.

Very interesting.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17915053

Earl

It's laughable until you realise that Labour are using it politically because he upset them. I consider MP's theft of tax payers money through expenses far worse than phone hacking. At least Murdoch didn't say he was to depressed to face a judge like the MP who nicked £80k and is seemingly going to get away with it.

 

[MASSEY]

Let alone done a competent job of running things themselves.

Here in Edinburgh, what was meant to be a £375m tram project is now estimated to end up costing £1,000m, will cover much less of the city, and will be years later than planned. (A delay that's causing huge disruption - which also has a financial cost.)

All in all, we're probably looking at £700m+ being wasted by political incompetence (compared to the cost of doing it right).

700m is peanuts. They are planning to waste 20 billion on one in Bham

I'm not sure whether these plans are really waste. There needs to be some stimulus in the economy, you can't cut cut cut.

 

700m is peanuts. They are planning to waste 20 billion on one in Bham

I'm not sure whether these plans are really waste. There needs to be some stimulus in the economy, you can't cut cut cut.

Not sure I would desctibe a tram system to move the jobless from one part of a city to another as a viable use of cash.

and who is it going to stimulate?

Earl