July 11, 201115 yr I'm just going to put this here: Between 2008 and 2009, the number of wiretaps authorized by US state and federal judges rose 26 percent. No wiretap requests were refused. In 2009, there were 2,379 criminal wiretaps authorized, the vast majority of which were for mobile phones in drug cases. Each authorized wiretap captured communications of an average of 133 individuals; just 19 percent of the communications captured were incriminating. Each tap lasted an average of 42 days. Not that I'm condoning what you've quoted here, but I don't think that's the best comparison for making a point. Criminal wiretaps are on a slightly different level than wiretaps for the purposes of selling newspapers. ______________________ Amusing: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSWHzGRksvo]YouTube - Hugh Grant: How I exposed hacking[/ame]
July 12, 201115 yr I was watching BBC News channel when that interview with Hugh Grant and Paul McMullan on and having never heard of Paul McMullan I quickly soon found out what a shameless individual he is. He then got absolutely roasted by Steve Coogan on Newsnight a couple of days later. I love how Coogan goes a bit Alan Partridge with 'it's absolute B.S' at 2.01! [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUjrIn6OzJA]YouTube - Steve Coogan v Paul McMullan Row on Newsnight - NOTW Phone Hacking *MUST WATCH*[/ame]
July 12, 201115 yr Not that I'm condoning what you've quoted here, but I don't think that's the best comparison for making a point. Criminal wiretaps are on a slightly different level than wiretaps for the purposes of selling newspapers. As far as I can tell, most of the government wiretaps occur because they are prosecuting non-violent criminals, which I certainly don't condone. I just think that this scandal really isn't that big of a deal. Sure, it's sleazy. But if anyone should be criticized it's the phone companies for not having the foresight and security measures in place to prevent it. Fines and prison sentences are unnecessary and cruel. Paul McMullan might be a less than admirable guy, but he's absolutely right - any new regulations here will be in place to prosecute people who try to learn what politicians are saying behind closed doors. The government will protect its monopoly on eavesdropping.
July 12, 201115 yr Author But if anyone should be criticized it's the phone companies for not having the foresight and security measures in place to prevent it. Fines and prison sentences are unnecessary and cruel. Are you saying that attempted hacking, albeit less serious as a similar premeditated situation as attempted murder is for example, should not be a criminal offence?
July 12, 201115 yr Are you saying that attempted hacking, albeit less serious as a similar premeditated situation as attempted murder is for example, should not be a criminal offence? Yes, as long as data isn't destroyed. When data is copied, it's not a loss for the owner, simply an invasion of privacy. In my view privacy is not a right in the same way property is, it is a service.
July 12, 201115 yr Author Even data that could be classed as causing 'exceptionally grave damage' to national security if made publically available? (you might refer to that as we do, 'top secret')
July 12, 201115 yr Is he on his last legs? Murdoch in meltdown as shares plummet, BSkyB deal is shelved, and shareholders sue News Corp launches $5billion share buyback to stabilise value of companyOnly 173 of the 4,000 named in hacker files so far contacted by policeMPs to vote on Miliband motion urging News Corp to withdraw BSkyB bidMurdoch-owned Times reports that tycoon 'could walk away' from UK titlesDomain name The Sun On Sunday transfers to News International ownershipBSkyB shares down 3.3% at close of tradingNews Corps shareholders sue company for 'failing to properly investigate' By Daily Mail Reporter Last updated at 5:31 PM on 12th July 2011 Rupert Murdoch’s media empire today risked implosion amid claims he could abandon his British newspapers over the phone hacking scandal. The embattled News Corp boss may sell his three remaining national titles after accusations were made against The Sun and the Sunday Times. Lending weight to the claim, Mr Murdoch’s other tightly-controlled paper, The Times, reported that ‘City analysts asked whether News Corps could walk away’. This afternoon News Corp launched a $5billion shares buyback, artificially bolstering the value of the company after days of losses. Struggling: Rupert Murdoch with his personal trainer, left, and bodyguard in Kensington Gardens in London today Bad news: Mr Murdoch with his daughter Elizabeth earlier today BSKYB INVESTORS CONFRONT FALLOUT FROM DEAL DELAY BSkyB shares have taken a further 3.3 per cent hit today as investors face up to the diminishing likelihood of its buyout by crisis-stricken News Corp. Rupert Murdoch's News Corp effectively triggered the referral of the deal to the Competition Commission yesterday by withdrawing its undertaking to spin off Sky News. Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt swiftly handed it over to the watchdog, which will take at least six months to make a decision on 'media plurality' grounds. But Ofcom could still weigh in on the issue too as it is responsible for deciding whether the bosses of News Corp are 'fit and proper' to run a broadcaster. Political pressure is mounting on the deal, with Labour calling a vote in the House of Commons tomorrow urging Mr Murdoch to withdraw the bid - a motion the Tories and Liberal Democrats have said they will support. And Mr Murdoch, his son James and News International boss Rebekah Brooks have been asked to appear before the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee next week to give evidence about the hacking and police bribery accusations. Shares in BSkyB closed down 23.5p at 692p today, on top of a 5 per cent drop yesterday. But News Corp shares are trading up 1% at $15.67 on the Nasdaq in New York this afternoon after it launched a $5billion share buyback in an effort to stabilise the value of the company. The embattled media giant has been hit with a class action lawsuit by shareholders over claims bosses failed to properly investigate phone hacking at the killed-off News of the World (above). Speculation is now growing that Mr Murdoch may sell his three remaining UK national newspapers after fresh allegations emerged about News International activities involving the private information of ex-Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Royal family. City commentators are doubtful that News Corp will be permitted to buy the 61 per cent of BSkyB it doesn't already own following the furore, and have reassessed their positions on the UK pay-TV company. Credit Suisse slashed its target price from 850p to 650p, predicting BSkyB would move to trading on standalone fundamentals. 'We now believe there is only a 10 per cent chance News Corp's attempt to take full control of Sky will eventually be successful,' it said. 'As well as a potentially significant delay for a Competition Commission review, we believe Ofcom has the power to use its "fit and proper" test to erect an insurmountable barrier to the deal; and that the worst case scenario is News Corp is asked to divest part of its existing 39 per cent stake.' The bank noted that Sky had just decided to freeze its TV packages in the next financial year, which suggested it anticipated tougher trading conditions in the coming year as UK household budgets come under continued pressure. Royal Bank of Scotland said it believed News Corp had engineered a delay by getting the BSkyB deal referred to the Competition Commission 'presumably so that opinion cools, and perhaps with a mind to exploring an exit of UK newspapers to focus on BSkyB'. 'NewsCorp’s move keeps the approval process alive, but only just,' it said, but in the meantime investors focusing on the fundamentals at BSkyB would find it in robust shape. 'We forecast 8 per cent revenue growth in 2011/12 despite the (one-year) freeze in subscription prices from September 2011 as the rising penetration of HD, broadband and talk continues to drive average revenue per user (albeit at a slower pace than in 2010/11) and as the subscriber base continues to grow (we forecast it reaching 10.5million by June 2012).' RBS also floated the idea of a BSkyB special dividend of £2 a share, saying: 'If plan A was the NewsCorp deal, plan B may be a capital return.' Broker Numis Securities took a more optimistic view of the prospects for the BSKyB deal still going ahead. 'We expect a lengthy regulatory process lasting into 2012, however we believe that, on the basis of media plurality, it will be cleared and remain of the view that a price of 800p-850p is likely,' it said. 'Although we believe the deal will complete, we recognise that the situation with respect to News International and (perhaps more importantly) political expediency remains fluid.' Numis cut its target price for BSkyB from 825p to 800p and said it viewed 700p as 'a very attractive entry point for the business on fundamentals'. The figure is just a fraction of the $12billion in cash Murdoch has at his disposal. Some analysts believe more of this money should have been used to stabilise the company. The share buyback comes as BSkyB shares fell 2 per cent this morning after the tycoon delayed his controversial bid to take control of the satellite giant by submitting it to a competition inquiry. Yesterday, News Corps shares fell 7 per cent on the New York Stock Exchange, while Sky’s fell 5 per cent in London. Ministers are understood to be desperate to find a way to block his bid while trying not to offend the powerful tycoon, who was pictured with his personal trainer in a London park this morning. His business has also been hit by a class action lawsuit by News Corps shareholders over claims bosses failed to properly investigate phone hacking taking place at the News of the World, which was shut down on Sunday. However, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt's move to delay the Sky bid yesterday afternoon could potentially salvage the deal, which had looked on the brink of collapse in the morning, according to City analysts. It is thought that Mr Murdoch is willing to try anything to ensure his bid succeeds - even ditching his famous newspaper stable, which earn considerably less than Sky, which last year made a £1billion profit. Analysts also said it frees Mr Hunt from a politically explosive conundrum. If he had blocked the deal, or called in the Competition Commission himself, he could have faced a legal challenge from News Corp. But if he had waved the takeover through, he risked triggering a wave of public fury. The investigation will take at least six months. Senior Lib Dem MP Don Foster, the party’s former culture spokesman, described the move as a ‘ruse’ designed to buy ‘breathing space’. He added: ‘This is the best Murdoch can do to keep the possibility of the merger on the table. ‘By dropping the News of the World, he can say his involvement in news and current affairs in Britain has actually diminished and argue that the issue of media plurality has disappeared. ‘There is nothing to prevent Ofcom, however, from investigating whether or not the Murdoch empire is fit and proper to own even the 39 per cent of BSkyB it already owns.’ Mark Kelly, at stockbroker Olivetree Securities, said: ‘News Corp is smoothing the way for the Government here – keeping friends in power by making the decision for them.’ Louise Cooper, of City broking firm BGC Partners, said Murdoch had given Hunt ‘some wriggle room’ and avoided a ‘potentially damaging’ confidence vote in the House of Commons tomorrow. Labour leader Ed Miliband had threatened to force a vote if the Government did not call time on the proposed takeover. Preventing a parliamentary debate where fresh attacks could have been levelled against his papers was a ‘smart move by an operator who is rapidly taking back control of the situation’, she added. However, the chances of News Corp buying the 61 per cent of Sky it does not already own have tumbled with each new startling revelation. Sky shares plunged 5 per cent yesterday and a staggering £2.4billion has been wiped off the value of the satellite giant over the past week. Alex DeGroote, at stockbroker Panmure Gordon, said the likelihood of the deal going ahead had reduced. He said: ‘On Friday we cut our probability of the deal going ahead to 50:50 from 90:10 in favour. This seems very optimistic now. Our new assessment is 10:90 in favour. In other words, we believe the deal is all but dead.’ He also raised the possibility of a forced divestiture – sale, liquidation or spin off – of News Corp’s 39 per cent shareholding in BSkyB. He added: ‘If the “fit and proper” test is applied rigidly by Ofcom and events elsewhere worsen, it could become a factor.’ It is now alleged that as many as 4,000 people had their phones hacked by private investigators working for the News Of The World. Speculation grew today that the red top would be replaced by The Sun On Sunday after the domain name was transferred to News International from the company who bought it last week. In a further development this afternoon MPs will vote on a Labour motion urging News Corporation boss Rupert Murdoch to withdraw his bid to take over the whole of BSkyB. Tomorrow's motion tabled by Labour leader Ed Miliband, who today met the family of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, states that 'this House believes that it is in the public interest for Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation to withdraw their bid for BSkyB'. News International also said today it would co-operate after Rebekah Brooks, Rupert Murdoch and his son James were asked to appear before a committee of MPs. The Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee asked the trio to give evidence about the phone hacking and police payments scandals at a hearing next week. A spokeswoman for News International, publisher of the News of the World, the Sun, the Times and the Sunday Times, could not confirm whether all three would attend the hearing. But the company said in a statement: "We have been made aware of the request from the CMS committee to interview senior executives and will co-operate. We await the formal invitation." Enlarge D'oh! Shares in the satellite giant, which screens The Simpsons on Sky One, plunged 5pc yesterday
July 12, 201115 yr Even data that could be classed as causing 'exceptionally grave damage' to national security if made publically available? (you might refer to that as we do, 'top secret') Hmm, I don't think data like that exists. (Anarchist) I don't believe in the concept of "national security". Some individuals might be more-easily harmed by data being leaked, but it's up to them not to put themselves in a position where that could happen. If the goal is security, there are ways to achieve that that aren't so... roundabout (and profitable for certain special interests). EDIT: Don't get me wrong, I'm totally in agreement that this was underhanded and emotionally damaging for the people involved. I'm just saying they should direct their anger at the phone companies, because that's more productive. The government is seeking to use this as a means to reign in media that could be critical of them in the future.
July 13, 201115 yr Author News Corp withdraws bid for BSkyB Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation has announced that it is dropping its planned bid to take full ownership of satellite broadcaster BSkyB. It follows a scandal over phone hacking at News Corp's UK newspaper group. News Corp deputy chairman Chase Carey said the bid had become "too difficult to progress in this climate". The move came just before MPs debated a motion supported by all major parties calling on Mr Murdoch to scrap the bid. The motion was approved without a vote. The scandal has already led to the closure of the UK's biggest-selling newspaper, the News of the World. On Friday, Prime Minister David Cameron announced details of a public inquiry into phone hacking and media regulation. "We believed that the proposed acquisition of BSkyB by News Corporation would benefit both companies, but it has become clear that it is too difficult to progress in this climate," said News Corp deputy chairman and president Chase Carey in a statement. "News Corporation remains a committed long-term shareholder in BSkyB. We are proud of the success it has achieved and our contribution to it." BSkyB's share price briefly dropped following the announcement, taking it down 4% for the day, before recovering to close 2% up. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14142307 [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO2MyKGSM9I]YouTube - Cameron: 'Murdoch must get his house in order'[/ame]
July 13, 201115 yr Author [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBlsDg8CzPI]YouTube - Murdoch drops BSkyB takeover bid[/ame]
July 14, 201115 yr Author Phone hacking: Murdochs agree to appear before MPs News Corporation's Rupert and James Murdoch have agreed to appear before MPs to answer questions on the phone-hacking scandal on Tuesday. The Commons media committee had issued summonses after the men initially declined to appear next week. News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks had agreed to attend. Meanwhile, Neil Wallis, ex-News of the World executive editor, was arrested on Thursday morning on suspicion of conspiring to intercept communications. Mr Wallis, also a former member of the Editors' Code of Practice Committee, is the ninth person to have been arrested since the Metropolitan Police launched a fresh phone-hacking investigation in January. The Murdoch-owned News of the World (NoW) was shut down last week amid the mounting scandal over the alleged hacking of phones belonging to crime victims, politicians and celebrities. In the US, it is being reported that the FBI is investigating alleged hacking of the phones of 9/11 victims by the News of the World. A growing group of senators and a senior Republican congressman have been calling for the authorities to investigate the allegations. Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, who wrote to the attorney general to urge an investigation, said the claims newspapers sought to "exploit information about... personal tragedies for profit" needed to be probed. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14148658
July 14, 201115 yr Author Republican Congressman Peter King calls for an FBI inquiry FBI to open 9/11 victims 'phone-hacking' investigation The FBI is investigating reports that Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation sought to hack the phones of victims of the 9/11 attacks. The criminal probe follows calls from a growing number of senators and a senior Republican for an investigation. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Mr Murdoch defended the company's handling of the crisis. Meanwhile, Mr Murdoch and his son James have agreed to answer UK MPs' questions on the hacking scandal next week. The Commons media committee issued summonses after the pair initially declined to appear. Also in London on Thursday, a former News of the World executive editor, Neil Wallis, became the ninth person involved with the newspaper to be detained by police probing phone hacking. The Murdoch-owned Sunday tabloid was shut down last week amid the mounting scandal over the alleged hacking of phones belonging to crime victims, politicians and celebrities. FBI sources told US media on Thursday it was looking into claims that phones belonging to victims of the September 11 attacks could have been hacked by News of the World journalists. A spokeswoman for the US justice department, which oversees the FBI, declined to comment. "The department does not comment specifically on investigations, though anytime we see evidence of wrongdoing, we take appropriate action," Tracy Schmaler told the BBC. News Corporation, based in New York, is the parent company of News International, the UK firm at the centre of the scandal over phone hacking and payments to police officers. The fallout prompted News International on Wednesday to withdraw from a huge takeover bid for the UK's largest pay-TV operator, BSkyB. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14162545
July 15, 201115 yr Author Rebekah Brooks: Resigned after weeks of pressure Phone hacking: News International chief Brooks quits Rebekah Brooks, chief executive of News International, has resigned, the company has confirmed. Her departure follows days of growing pressure for her to step down as the phone hacking crisis grew. In a statement, she said she felt a "deep responsibility for the people we have hurt". She was editor of the News of the World when murder victim Milly Dowler's phone was hacked. Ms Brooks said she wanted to "reiterate how sorry I am for what we now know to have taken place". Her statement went on: "I have believed that the right and responsible action has been to lead us through the heat of the crisis. However my desire to remain on the bridge has made me a focal point of the debate. "This is now detracting attention from all our honest endeavours to fix the problems of the past." Ms Brooks, who had been with News International for 22 years, bowed to the international pressure piling up on the company. In the US, the FBI is investigating reports that News Corporation sought to hack the phones of victims of the 9/11 attacks. The criminal probe follows calls from a growing number of senators and a senior Republican for an investigation. Meanwhile, News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch and his son James have agreed to answer UK MPs' questions on the hacking scandal next week. The leader of the Labour Party, Ed Miliband, said: "It is right that Rebekah Brooks has resigned. No-one should exercise power without responsibility." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14166162
July 15, 201115 yr lol this is such a feeding frenzy. I guess it's a great opportunity for politicians to take the pressure off themselves. Too bad BP or Exxon aren't spilling oil right now! ;)
July 15, 201115 yr As far as I can tell, most of the government wiretaps occur because they are prosecuting non-violent criminals, which I certainly don't condone. I just think that this scandal really isn't that big of a deal. Sure, it's sleazy. But if anyone should be criticized it's the phone companies for not having the foresight and security measures in place to prevent it. Fines and prison sentences are unnecessary and cruel. Paul McMullan might be a less than admirable guy, but he's absolutely right - any new regulations here will be in place to prosecute people who try to learn what politicians are saying behind closed doors. The government will protect its monopoly on eavesdropping. Voicemail is protected by a PIN number, however most people were too lazy to change it from the default 0000/1234. It's not the phone companies fault that people are too lazy to change passwords. True they could have used unique passcodes for each phone, which I believe O2 forced an update blocking access to people whom had the default code.
July 15, 201115 yr Author [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5E6FhdcbHk]Murdoch meets Milly Dowler's parents - YouTube[/ame]
July 15, 201115 yr Author [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W4Dm8Gu3xo]Dowler family react to Murdoch apology - YouTube[/ame]
July 18, 201115 yr Author Sean Hoare had told the BBC that phone hacking was "endemic" at the News of the World NoW whistle-blower Sean Hoare found dead in Watford A former News of the World journalist who made phone-hacking allegations against the paper has been found dead. Sean Hoare had told the New York Times the practice was far more extensive than the paper acknowledged when police first investigated hacking claims. Hertfordshire Police said the body of a man was found at a property in Langley Road, Watford, on Monday morning. A police spokesman said the death was currently being treated as unexplained, but was not thought to be suspicious. The spokesman said: "At 10.40am today [Monday] police were called to Langley Road, Watford, following the concerns for welfare of a man who lives at an address on the street. Upon police and ambulance arrival at a property, the body of a man was found. The man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after. The death is currently being treated as unexplained, but not thought to be suspicious. Police investigations into this incident are ongoing." Mr Hoare had told the BBC's Panorama that phone hacking was "endemic" at the News of the World (NoW). He also said the then NoW editor Andy Coulson had asked him to hack phones - something Mr Coulson has denied. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14194623
July 18, 201115 yr Oh my goodness! The Sun's website has been hacked! Someone hacked in and posted a news story claiming Murdoch found dead in his garden! http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20080503-245/hackers-target-murdoch-newspaper-web-site/
July 19, 201115 yr Drama! Attempted pie in the face attempt on Rupert Murdoch at the Select Committee! His wife was really going for the attacker!
July 19, 201115 yr Looks like the attacker came off worse though. All over his face and shirt. Named as comedian Jonnie Marbles....nope? Never heard of him either.
July 19, 201115 yr Murdoch Snr just got pied! After that, perhaps he should be renamed Rupert Curdoch.................. :P
Create an account or sign in to comment