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Media Integrity > Published by Kevin Meagher, July 6th 2011 at 5:57 pm

Murdoch’s boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt him

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As his British business faces unprecedented difficulties, with advertisers deserting by the hour, police investigations looming and his most senior official, Rebekah Brooks, on the rack, the mounting fallout of  the phone hacking scandal has this afternoon seen Rupert Murdoch himself enter the fray.

Rebekah-Brooks-Rupert-MurdochIn a statement released this afternoon Murdoch, chairman of News of the World (NotW) owners News Corporation, says:

“I have made clear that our company must fully and proactively co-operate with the police in all investigations and that is exactly what News International has been doing and will continue to do under Rebekah Brooks’s leadership.

“We are committed to addressing these issues fully and have taken a number of important steps to prevent them from happening again.”

So after days of silence, Mr Murdoch has finally been dragged to respond. In so doing he damns Brooks with faint praise.

But the key questions facing Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson – what they knew and sanctioned while they ran the NotW – surely extends to Murdoch as proprietor? Difficult questions. No wonder he has full confidence in Rebekah Brooks’s “leadership” in fronting the fallout…

Back in 2008, Murdoch was not so coy about his hands-on role in the management of his newspapers. As the first report from the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications found in 2008 when it inquired into media ownership:

“When we met Mr Murdoch he was quite candid about the fact that, at least in relation to his UK tabloids, he has “editorial control on major issues”.”(Ch.3, Par 123)

Words from the Great Man’s own lips.

Does “editorial control on major issues” extend to knowing about how some of the paper’s biggest scoops were arrived at – by hacking into people’s voicemail? Did he ever sanction the practice? Or discuss it with the NotW editorial team?

By leaving this mess for Brooks to front up, it seems Mr Murdoch, in the inimitable style of the Screws’ reporters, appears to have made his excuses and left her to it.

  • http://twitter.com/bipolarbearmd/status/88653483909197824 TheBiPolarBearMD

    Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • http://twitter.com/johnsunyer/status/88653828815208448 John Sunyer

    Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • http://twitter.com/rattlecans/status/88653959551660032 Ma

    Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • http://twitter.com/ladyroisin/status/88654254746763264 LadyRoisin

    Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • http://twitter.com/rupertmurdochpr/status/88654476864524289 RupertMurdochPR

    When I said I had "editorial control on major issues" I meant the size of Page 3 girls tits RT @leftfootfwd http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW

  • http://twitter.com/politicallybrit/status/88654495671783425 Brit Lefit

    RT @leftfootfwd: Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • http://twitter.com/skidskid/status/88655306250399745 Alice Skidmore

    Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • http://twitter.com/wdjstraw/status/88656198810873856 Will Straw

    In 2008, Murdoch told the Lords he had “editorial control on major issues”. So what did he know? http://t.co/RJjXMhF #RebekahBrooksMustGo

  • http://twitter.com/magsnews/status/88656443284267008 Mags W

    RT @wdjstraw: In 2008, #Murdoch told the Lords he had “editorial control on major issues”. So what did he know? http://bit.ly/o8IWdX

  • http://twitter.com/aineaislingmam/status/88656518823686144 Caroline McAllister

    RT @wdjstraw: In 2008, #Murdoch told the Lords he had “editorial control on major issues”. So what did he know? http://bit.ly/o8IWdX

  • http://twitter.com/macinpoole/status/88657351502073857 malcolm

    Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • http://twitter.com/peterfainton/status/88657351221059584 peter fainton

    RT @wdjstraw: In 2008, #Murdoch told the Lords he had “editorial control on major issues”. So what did he know? http://bit.ly/o8IWdX

  • http://twitter.com/unionkatie/status/88658087027802112 Katie Whittam

    In 2008, Murdoch told the Lords he had “editorial control on major issues”. So what did he know? http://t.co/RJjXMhF #RebekahBrooksMustGo

  • http://twitter.com/puffles2010/status/88658782447607808 The Dragon Fairy

    In 2008, Murdoch told the Lords he had “editorial control on major issues”. So what did he know? http://t.co/RJjXMhF #RebekahBrooksMustGo

  • http://twitter.com/ben_fishwick/status/88659266940059648 Ben Fishwick

    In 2008, Murdoch told the Lords he had “editorial control on major issues”. So what did he know? http://t.co/RJjXMhF #RebekahBrooksMustGo

  • http://twitter.com/digitalraven/status/88660259723427840 Stew Wilson

    Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • http://twitter.com/ismaelhanif/status/88660496311517184 Ismael

    In 2008, Murdoch told the Lords he had “editorial control on major issues”. So what did he know? http://bit.ly/o8IWdX

  • http://twitter.com/aboutpower/status/88661333834338304 Alan Marshall

    RT @leftfootfwd: Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • http://twitter.com/aremay/status/88661412280418304 Tim Oliver

    RT @leftfootfwd: Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • http://twitter.com/isdancing/status/88661784436801536 Mabel Horrocks

    In 2008, Murdoch told the Lords he had “editorial control on major issues”. So what did he know? http://t.co/RJjXMhF #RebekahBrooksMustGo

  • http://twitter.com/nhsspy/status/88661839067623425 Watching You

    Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • http://twitter.com/deardaveandnick/status/88663205781585920 Bern O’Donoghue

    In 2008, Murdoch told the Lords he had “editorial control on major issues”. So what did he know? http://t.co/RJjXMhF #RebekahBrooksMustGo

  • http://twitter.com/mistywabbit/status/88667292073857024 Rachael

    In 2008, Murdoch told the Lords he had “editorial control on major issues”. So what did he know? http://t.co/RJjXMhF #RebekahBrooksMustGo

  • http://twitter.com/stu2308/status/88667787479891968 Stu Ross

    In 2008, Murdoch told the Lords he had “editorial control on major issues”. So what did he know? http://t.co/RJjXMhF #RebekahBrooksMustGo

  • http://twitter.com/willallchorn/status/88669749650796545 The general Will

    In 2008, Murdoch told the Lords he had “editorial control on major issues”. So what did he know? http://t.co/RJjXMhF #RebekahBrooksMustGo

  • http://twitter.com/theefaction/status/88673634956214272 Thee Faction

    Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • http://twitter.com/jblresearch/status/88680189407657985 John Lever

    Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • Dave Citizen

    Let’s see how the world’s best paid advocates try to wriggle out of this lot so they can put their emperor back on the throne.

  • http://twitter.com/therightarticle/status/88698387779698689 Michael

    Murdoch’s boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt him l Left Foot Forward – http://tinyurl.com/68wj8pf

  • http://twitter.com/janet_ewan/status/88699899843051520 janet ewan

    Murdoch’s boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt him l Left Foot Forward – http://tinyurl.com/68wj8pf

  • http://lsminsurance.ca/ Lorne Marr

    Exactly, he is the owner of a huge corporation, he has the money and power and knows the right people so it very likely Murdoch will emerge unscathed.

  • http://twitter.com/salardeen/status/88701954917801984 salardeen

    Murdoch’s boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt him l Left Foot Forward – http://tinyurl.com/68wj8pf

  • http://twitter.com/apertureimage/status/88704707224272896 Chris

    Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • http://twitter.com/kingmike01/status/88709035888623616 Mike King

    Murdoch says he had "editorial control on major issues." Wonder if he still does after #NOTW #Hacking scandal? http://ht.ly/5yfBh

  • mr. Sensible

    And the government is relaxed about him taking control of B Sky B?

  • http://twitter.com/thedeadduck/status/88732070171525122 Molly

    Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • http://redrag1.blogspot.com/ Red Rag

    If Murdoch thinks couldn’t get any worse……http://redrag1.blogspot.com/2011/07/red-rag-coulsonyour-time-is-running-out.html

  • http://twitter.com/bardh_gwerin/status/88744420853301252 Tim Saunders

    Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • Stefan

    As opportunistic as it is spurious, this little polemic misses the most important point of this ghastly business: individual journalists are taking the initiative, or being complicit in, illegal, immoral, unethical practices. Was Murdoch aware of phone hacking? Really? Get some evidence for when the News Ltd lawyers come calling. This is something perpetrated by ambitious journalists who stuffed their sense of right and wrong in the bottom drawer of their desk so that they could more easily create ‘good stories’ that would bring them acclaim, promotion and money. It’s seedy. But let’s find those directly involved and prosecute them. The punishment must fit the crime and must be applied to the criminal rather than those who you feel ideologically motivated to undermine with whatever comes to hand.

  • http://twitter.com/rockythehamster/status/88976660107497472 Rocky Hamster

    RT @leftfootfwd: Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt him http://t.co/ESOhRqC

  • Kevin

    Stefan – am I to take it you are advocating the “lone nut” theory as a defence? Come on, you have to do better that that.

  • http://twitter.com/mfilipas/status/89332271680729088 Mario Filipas

    Murdoch's boast he has “editorial control on major issues” could come back to haunt hi: http://bit.ly/o8IWdX #NotW #hacking

  • http://twitter.com/gemmatumelty/status/93331874860105729 Gemma Tumelty

    Murdoch implies he doesnt speak regularly to editors but in '08 boasted that he had “editorial control on major issues" http://t.co/lY3JAdc

  • http://twitter.com/richardcasson/status/93331884817387520 Richard Casson

    RT @shamikdas: Here's how "hands on" #Murdoch is: http://bit.ly/nRTAq8 #hackgate

  • http://twitter.com/marxroadrunner/status/93332380236005376 Rosa

    Murdoch implies he doesnt speak regularly to editors but in '08 boasted that he had “editorial control on major issues" http://t.co/lY3JAdc

  • http://twitter.com/westernshores/status/93333268094660608 Pen

    Murdoch implies he doesnt speak regularly to editors but in '08 boasted that he had “editorial control on major issues" http://t.co/lY3JAdc

  • http://twitter.com/carbonrich/status/93334005700767744 rich hawkins

    Murdoch implies he doesnt speak regularly to editors but in '08 boasted that he had “editorial control on major issues" http://t.co/lY3JAdc

  • http://twitter.com/rcolvile/status/93334198257061888 Robert Colvile

    Murdoch implies he doesnt speak regularly to editors but in '08 boasted that he had “editorial control on major issues" http://t.co/lY3JAdc

  • http://twitter.com/cantala59/status/93334222789558274 Sally Guyer

    Murdoch implies he doesnt speak regularly to editors but in '08 boasted that he had “editorial control on major issues" http://t.co/lY3JAdc

  • http://twitter.com/alconsumidor/status/93334686620856320 Daniel Gershenson

    RT @wdjstraw: #murdoch implies he doesn't speak regularly to editors. In '08 boasted he had “edit control on maj issues" http://t.co/lY3JAdc

  • http://twitter.com/serendipitysays/status/93334968687788033 Paul Marr

    Murdoch implies he doesnt speak regularly to editors but in '08 boasted that he had “editorial control on major issues" http://t.co/lY3JAdc

  • http://twitter.com/neilrfoster/status/93335504350756865 neilrfoster

    Murdoch implies he doesnt speak regularly to editors but in '08 boasted that he had “editorial control on major issues" http://t.co/lY3JAdc

  • http://twitter.com/june4th/status/93349746508443648 Noxi

    Murdoch implies he doesnt speak regularly to editors but in '08 boasted that he had “editorial control on major issues" http://t.co/lY3JAdc

  • http://twitter.com/rattlecans/status/93388644831866881 Ma

    Murdoch implies he doesnt speak regularly to editors but in '08 boasted that he had “editorial control on major issues" http://t.co/lY3JAdc

  • http://twitter.com/puffles2010/status/93389534896717824 The Dragon Fairy

    Murdoch implies he doesnt speak regularly to editors but in '08 boasted that he had “editorial control on major issues" http://t.co/lY3JAdc

  • http://twitter.com/betelgeuse_5/status/93390880643358720 Jessica Myles

    Murdoch implies he doesnt speak regularly to editors but in '08 boasted that he had “editorial control on major issues" http://t.co/lY3JAdc

  • http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/07/idiotic-pie-attacker-will-do-nothing-to-boost-the-anti-murdoch-cause/ Idiotic pie-attacker will do nothing to boost the anti-Murdoch cause | Left Foot Forward

    [...] the past Rupert has claimed to have considerable influence over the editorial line taken by his papers. As a stunt it successfully allowed him to blunt many [...]