Another Empty Gesture From Murdoch

Shutting News of the World looks like such a grand gesture. In fact, it's another attempt to look like something is being done -- while in fact changing nothing fundamental within News International.

Shutting the 168-year-old paper isn't a great sacrifice (although, since it was Murdoch's first UK paper, he may feel sentimental about it); it's just bowing to the inevitable. No one wanted to advertise, no one wanted to buy and precious few people wanted to appear in the paper: better to shoot it and put it out of its misery.

But the fact that the URLs for SunonSunday.com and SunonSunday.co.uk were reserved fully two days ago suggests that News International may just be planning to switch its employees over to a "new" paper just like the "old" paper -- but with a new name. This rebranding will fool no one. The fact that the teams are still headed by Rebekah Brooks means nothing will have changed -- except that now, presumably, all her employees will loathe her for failing to protect them.

The fundamental change that Murdoch must confront is that the political parties have discovered a little courage. In unity, they are bold enough to challenge the monster that, heretofore held them in thrall. They might come to enjoy that courage; it certainly plays well with the public.

 

 

 

Comments

[rpmcestmoi]

11:07 PM on 07/07/2011

The man who changes nationhood for profit, drops a nasty product to gain a world, or so he hopes. That smarmy uncomfortable son is even less than Murdoch in the awful department. ZSincerity of aspect evades him. Perhaps that suggests he has a soul! Perhaps a recessive gene.

[Ms Liann]

04:37 PM on 07/07/2011

Hacked a dead girl's phone voicemail? What about the 3,000 Americans that Murdoch's Marlboro Man killed yesterday? What about the 3,000 corporate Serial murders they are killing TODAY? What about the 3,000 Americans they are murdering TOMORROW? Murdoch DIRECTED Philip Morris (Marlboros) to commit FELONY FRAUD while he was on the Board of Directors. Murdoch made SECRET PAYOFF for science frauds to Swiss bank accounts of corrupt science workers in PROJECT WHITECOATS (google it). Murdoch's company was CONVICTED of felony RICO frauds but GOP appointed judges let them get away with zero fine and disgorgement of money. Murdoch advertised CIGARETTES to KIDS in his TV GUIDE while the kids looked up the showtimes of Seseme Street and barney the Dinosaur.-- Murdoch DIRECTED Philip Morris Marboro serial killer to pay $75,000,000 per year to his TV Guide, the only American outlet to advertise cigs to children. Make these serial killers go away! Get them OFF MY WORLD!