Srewdrivers to be banned

[Boudi]

I heard a sound clip from rupert Murdoch earlier saying that the News of the World needed to be closed because it had let it's readers down?  Forgive me, but isn't a paper a lifeless and inert thing, manipulated to the needs of it's producers and readers?  Isn't it like saying that burglars use screwdrivers, so we should hold the screwdriver responsible for thre actions of the burglars.

Murdoch has already made it clear that it was sheets of pulped wood that are a at fault here, not him, not Rebekkah Wade/Mitchell(cut it ahht darlin')/Brooks.

there seems to be a sense of sadness at the closure of the paper, and it seems like the comedians of the country are the main people keeping the focus on Brooks and Murdoch.

[AndrewF]

yes - it is ridiculous that Brooks has not only kept her job but is in charge of investigating the fiasco - when it happened on her watch!
If she was a competent editor she would have known what was going on and if she wasn't competent as an Editor she would not have been promoted to chief exec... she knew what was happening and chose to ignore it. Now there are reports (denied - well they would, wouldn't they??!!) that they are deleting swathes of emails before the cops move in...
As for Murdock being allowed to take over BSkyB.... - Definitely not a 'fit & proper' person IMO...

[Boudi]

seems obvious to everyone except the culture sec.

[AndrewF]

In fairness, I think it was obvious to him as well - but he was in no position to make that decision as that was legitimately the area of authority of the OFCOM and/or the MMC. Anyway - that is all water under the bridge now!

[Martin]

Within a couple of years Murdoch will own a majority shareholding in BSkyB.

Our only hope is the FBI.

[Boudi]

or the other obvious event in old age.....

[AndrewF]

I see one MP is pressing for new legislation to limit the amount of holdings anyone can have in different British media outlets which (if it happens) would also prevent this.

[AndyHB]

Within a couple of years Murdoch will own a majority shareholding in BSkyB.

Heard a suggestion that Branson might try to buy some of the remaining shares Murdoch doesn't have - if not all of them.  Now how would we view that?

[AndyHB]

I see one MP is pressing for new legislation to limit the amount of holdings anyone can have in different British media outlets which (if it happens) would also prevent this.

Yes, I heard that - and his name is Ed Milliband.  If this could be pressed through it would be good and would achieve something that many people have been campaigning for for many years - against the views of both the Labour and Tory parties (so good to see that Labour, at least, are indicating a U-turn!!)

[AndrewF]

but would they if they were in power?  :-)

[ecuworrier]

but would they if they were in power?  :-)

i get the impression that ed is less than impressed with those aspects of the past... but to answer your question.... well it is interesting cos really the media wanted and expected bruv dave to win so it would be interesting ... however the next elections will be fought on the basis of using all available publicity machines so are you suggesting he is shooting himself in the foot... as things stand ... the broadsheet print media is suffering in the circulation war as folks are using the internet more which is foreignly owned if that is not a contradictory statement after the fact...

i am kindov sympathetic to something of it's nature though it does not guarantee non meddling in politics by minority interests look at Berlusconi and probs and awful lot more... we would be copying the laws of the USA... is that worrying?

GOD BLESS!

Peace and Love,