#PhoneHackingScandal
The Fall of a British Tabloid
#PhoneHackingScandal
The Fall of a British Tabloid
The News of the World phone hacking scandal was a major media and political controversy in the United Kingdom that came to light in the early 2000s and peaked in 2011. Journalists and private investigators working for the British tabloid were found to have illegally accessed the voicemails of celebrities, politicians, members of the royal family, and even victims of crime, most notably murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler. The revelation that the tabloid had deleted voicemails from Dowler’s phone sparked public outrage and led to the closure of the 168-year-old newspaper in July 2011. The scandal prompted multiple police investigations, high-profile arrests, and the Leveson Inquiry—a public investigation into press ethics and regulation. It exposed deep ethical failures within parts of the British press and raised serious concerns about media power and accountability.
Murdoch Pie Attack: Activist Charged Over Phone Hacking Protest at UK Parliament
- Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Jonathan May-Bowles, 26, has been charged with a public order offence for throwing a foam pie at News Corporation boss Rupert Murdoch during a UK Parliament committee hearing. The incident occurred on July 19 and was followed by an investigation into the security failure that allowed it to happen. May-Bowles, who goes by the name Jonnie Marbles, had posted a message on Twitter before the attack saying "It is a far better thing that I do now than I have ever done before #splat."
Cameron Expands Leveson Probe to Include Broadcasters and Social Media
- Wednesday, 20 July 2011
The UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, has widened the terms of reference for Lord Justice Leveson's inquiry into phone hacking to include broadcasters, social media networks, and individual conduct. The panel will consist of six people, including Liberty director Shami Chakrabarti and former Daily Telegraph editor George Jones. The inquiry's remit is to examine media practices, relations between the press, politicians, and police, and will have the power to call witnesses under oath. The inquiry aims to balance freedom of the press with individual rights while ensuring critical relationships are maintained.
Cameron Concedes Coulson Hiring Mistake, Apologizes for Phone Hacking Crisis
- Wednesday, 20 July 2011
David Cameron told MPs that with hindsight, he would not have hired Andy Coulson as his media advisor due to phone hacking issues at News of the World, where Coulson was editor. Cameron said he regretted the furore caused and apologized, adding that if Coulson had lied about phone hacking, he should face "severe" criminal charges. Cameron also denied having any inappropriate conversations with News International executives regarding BSkyB's takeover bid.
MET POLICE ACCUSED OF PHONE-HACKING INQUIRY FAILURES: MPs Slam Police and News International in Damning Report
- Wednesday, 20 July 2011
The Metropolitan Police have been accused of a "catalogue of failures" in the News of the World phone-hacking inquiry, with MPs criticizing the police's lack of resources and unprofessional conduct. The report also blames News International for obstructing investigations. Prime Minister David Cameron announced that a figure from outside the Met would oversee the police investigation into hacking. The report criticizes former Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman and the head of public affairs Dick Fedorcio, who hired an ex-News of the World executive who was later arrested on phone-hacking allegations.
