Labour leader urges for new media ownership rules saying News Corporation chief has too much power in the UK Ed Miliband has demanded the breakup of Rupert Murdoch’s UK media empire in a dramatic intervention in the row over phone hacking. In an exclusive interview with the Observer , the Labour leader calls for cross-party agreement on new media ownership laws that would cut Murdoch’s current market share, arguing that he has “too much power over British public life”. Miliband says that the abandonment by News International of its bid for BSkyB, the resignation of its chief executive, Rebekah Brooks, and the closure of the News of the World are insufficient to restore trust and reassure the public. The Labour leader argues that current media ownership rules are outdated, describing them as “analogue rules for a digital age” that do not take into account the advent of mass digital and satellite broadcasting. “I think that we’ve got to look at the situation whereby one person can own more than 20% of the newspaper market, the Sky platform and Sky News,” Miliband said. “I think it’s unhealthy because that amount of power in one person’s hands has clearly led to abuses of power within his organisation. If you want to minimise the abuses of power then that kind of concentration of power is frankly quite dangerous.” The move takes Miliband’s campaign against the abuse of media power to new heights after a fortnight in which he has reinvigorated his own leadership by leading the attack on the Murdoch empire. While he insisted that the recently announced inquiries should take their course, the Labour leader said he hoped the main parties could agree on a common approach. His latest intervention comes ahead of what promises to be a dramatic appearance by Rupert Murdoch, his son James, the chief executive of News Corporation Europe and Asia, and Brooks before the Commons culture, media and sport committee. Committee members preparing to grill the trio are to be given legal advice on the morning of the hearing on how far they can push the News Corp boss and his son for answers. The committee’s chairman, the Tory MP John Whittingdale, has also asked them to send him details of their preferred lines of questioning to avoid duplication. News Corp is understood to be concerned that the committee will set a trap by asking questions the Murdochs are unable to answer due to the continuing criminal investigations and are taking advice on how to avoid yet another public relations disaster as the company attempts to rebuild its reputation. Further pressure was piled on Murdoch after the Liberal Democrats wrote to the media regulator, Ofcom, urging it to launch an investigation that could see his holding company, News Corp, forced to sell its stake in satellite broadcaster BSkyB. The Broadcasting Act places a duty on the regulator to consider “any relevant conduct of those who manage and control such a licence”. Although News Corp, whose News International subsidiary owned the News of the World , has only a minority 39% share in BSkyB, the Lib Dems argue the company is “strongly placed materially to influence the policy and strategic direction of BSkyB”, suggesting the regulator is duty bound to investigate. Simon Hughes, the party’s deputy leader, Don Foster, its media spokesman, and Tim Farron, its president, are demanding that the watchdog’s members “take measures now to satisfy yourself that the owners of the BSkyB licence continue to be “fit and proper” given “the manifest public concern about News International’s activities, the close integration of News International with its parent company News Corporation, [and] News Corp’s effective control of BSkyB”. The three dismissed claims that the regulator could not act while criminal investigations were current, saying there were “no legal reasons to stop Ofcom from conducting its work alongside that done by the police”. A spokeswoman for Ofcom said: “We received this letter early on Friday evening. We will be considering our response next week.” She added that the regulator was continuing to gather information which it hoped would assist in the discharge of its duties. “We have already written to a number of relevant authorities and can confirm that follow-up meetings will now be taking place.” In his interview Miliband said that once a Sunday Sun was launched, possibly in August, this would add further to the Murdoch empire’s penetration of the UK media market. Meanwhile, the foreign secretary, William Hague, defended Cameron’s regular meetings with News International executives and his decision to invite Andy Coulson, his former director of communications who was arrested 10 days ago, to Chequers several weeks after Coulson’s resignation over the phone-hacking scandal. “In inviting Andy Coulson back, the prime minister has invited someone back to thank him for his work – he’s worked for him for several years – that is a normal, human thing to do,” Hague told BBC Radio 4′s Today programme. “I think it shows a positive side to his character.” He added: “Personally I’m not embarrassed by it in any way – but there is something wrong here in this country and it must be put right. It’s been acknowledged by the prime minister and I think that’s the right attitude to take.” Hague continued: “It’s not surprising that in a democratic country there is some contact between leaders of the country, and indeed opposition leaders, and indeed I believe on that list of meetings there are also meetings with the executives of the Guardian and Trinity Mirror and whatever other news organisations.” Cameron has acknowledged that he met Coulson since his resignation, but “not recently and not frequently”. “When you work with someone for four years as I did, and you work closely, you do build a friendship and I became friends with him,” the prime minister declared. “He became a friend and is a friend.” Ed Miliband Phone hacking Rupert Murdoch Labour Newspapers & magazines National newspapers Newspapers News International News Corporation Media business News of the World Toby Helm Daniel Boffey Jamie Doward guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Eric Boehlert Weighs in on the Media Coverage of the Murdoch Hacking Scandal
July 16, 2011 No Comment
Click here to view this media Keith Olbermann took the night off on Current TV with his fellow former MSNBC contributor David Shuster filling in for him, which makes me wonder if Shuster might be one of the next people to be announced as one of Current TV’s new lineup as they bring in new shows. Speculation aside, Shuster talked to Media Matters’ Eric Boehlert about the scandal with News of the World and how that has been covered at their American “news” channel, Fox News here in the U.S., and as Boehlert and Shuster noted here it’s either been all but ignored or their coverage has tried to deflect it as part of some problem that has nothing to do with the media company’s legal problems. You can read more at Media Matters and how this story has been covered by our corporate media here — REPORT: How CNN, MSNBC, And Fox Are Covering News Corp. Hacking Scandal* : News Corp.’s long-simmering phone-hacking scandal has reignited, throwing its global media empire into turmoil. As allegations of hacking into private citizens’ voicemail increase, media and tabloid practices have been called into question. With a large and influential presence in the United States, News Corp. and its subsidiaries (including Fox News) should be under intense scrutiny in the American press. A Media Matters analysis has found great disparity in the amount of coverage given to the scandal by CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. Analysis: CNN Covered News Corp.’s Hacking Scandal In More Than 100 Segments CNN And MSNBC Report On News Corp. Scandal More Than Twice As Often As Fox News. According to a Media Matters analysis**, in the nine days since the News Corp. phone-hacking scandal reignited, CNN reported on the developing story in 108 segments, MSNBC covered the story in 71 segments, and Fox News covered the story in 30 segments. enlarge Credit: Media Matters
Continue reading …Eric Boehlert Weighs in on the Media Coverage of the Murdoch Hacking Scandal
July 16, 2011 No Comment
Click here to view this media Keith Olbermann took the night off on Current TV with his fellow former MSNBC contributor David Shuster filling in for him, which makes me wonder if Shuster might be one of the next people to be announced as one of Current TV’s new lineup as they bring in new shows. Speculation aside, Shuster talked to Media Matters’ Eric Boehlert about the scandal with News of the World and how that has been covered at their American “news” channel, Fox News here in the U.S., and as Boehlert and Shuster noted here it’s either been all but ignored or their coverage has tried to deflect it as part of some problem that has nothing to do with the media company’s legal problems. You can read more at Media Matters and how this story has been covered by our corporate media here — REPORT: How CNN, MSNBC, And Fox Are Covering News Corp. Hacking Scandal* : News Corp.’s long-simmering phone-hacking scandal has reignited, throwing its global media empire into turmoil. As allegations of hacking into private citizens’ voicemail increase, media and tabloid practices have been called into question. With a large and influential presence in the United States, News Corp. and its subsidiaries (including Fox News) should be under intense scrutiny in the American press. A Media Matters analysis has found great disparity in the amount of coverage given to the scandal by CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. Analysis: CNN Covered News Corp.’s Hacking Scandal In More Than 100 Segments CNN And MSNBC Report On News Corp. Scandal More Than Twice As Often As Fox News. According to a Media Matters analysis**, in the nine days since the News Corp. phone-hacking scandal reignited, CNN reported on the developing story in 108 segments, MSNBC covered the story in 71 segments, and Fox News covered the story in 30 segments. enlarge Credit: Media Matters
Continue reading …Eric Boehlert Weighs in on the Media Coverage of the Murdoch Hacking Scandal
July 16, 2011 No Comment
Click here to view this media Keith Olbermann took the night off on Current TV with his fellow former MSNBC contributor David Shuster filling in for him, which makes me wonder if Shuster might be one of the next people to be announced as one of Current TV’s new lineup as they bring in new shows. Speculation aside, Shuster talked to Media Matters’ Eric Boehlert about the scandal with News of the World and how that has been covered at their American “news” channel, Fox News here in the U.S., and as Boehlert and Shuster noted here it’s either been all but ignored or their coverage has tried to deflect it as part of some problem that has nothing to do with the media company’s legal problems. You can read more at Media Matters and how this story has been covered by our corporate media here — REPORT: How CNN, MSNBC, And Fox Are Covering News Corp. Hacking Scandal* : News Corp.’s long-simmering phone-hacking scandal has reignited, throwing its global media empire into turmoil. As allegations of hacking into private citizens’ voicemail increase, media and tabloid practices have been called into question. With a large and influential presence in the United States, News Corp. and its subsidiaries (including Fox News) should be under intense scrutiny in the American press. A Media Matters analysis has found great disparity in the amount of coverage given to the scandal by CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. Analysis: CNN Covered News Corp.’s Hacking Scandal In More Than 100 Segments CNN And MSNBC Report On News Corp. Scandal More Than Twice As Often As Fox News. According to a Media Matters analysis**, in the nine days since the News Corp. phone-hacking scandal reignited, CNN reported on the developing story in 108 segments, MSNBC covered the story in 71 segments, and Fox News covered the story in 30 segments. enlarge Credit: Media Matters
Continue reading …Carla Bruni Pregnant: French First Lady Officially Confirms Baby On The Way
July 16, 2011 No Comment
After months of speculation and recent bump de bébé sightings, Carla Bruni has officially confirmed that she is pregnant. The French first lady sat down with Nice Matin, alluding to a “happy event that is more and more difficult to conceal.” What follows is our translation of part of the interview: Why all of the discretion? First of all, to protect myself, to not put my private life on display. It’s a source of great happiness for me, but after all, it’s banal and the people [of France] have plenty of problems, so it would be inappropriate to talk about it. We are already so media-exposed. And what about the rumors that it’s a boy? Well, that — I don’t even know myself. There are things that we keep secret. How have you been organizing your days at Fort de Brégancon [the presidential retreat off the Mediterranean coast]? For me, the days are full of resting, really. In my state, it’s an incredible opportunity to stay here instead of the city. And I’m waiting for my husband, who will be coming down this weekend, before the August vacations. Isn’t “first lady of France” synonymous with vacation? (Smiles) Well for me, first lady of France isn’t a burden. It’s a job, with duties, but it’s nothing overwhelming. The bulk of the load is on my husband, I’m just with him. Three years as first lady — and it’s much less tiring than ten years of modeling. First lady of France is a responsibility, you can’t just say anything, but I’m not the tactless type and it’s a wonderful stage in my life. Will the upcoming birth change the way people view the presidential couple? I don’t know. The French people’s opinion is much different than those who see us in an intimate setting. It’s difficult to reconcile their vision and the reality of things. Bruni previously told reporters from Le Parisien that she’d only talk about her pregnancy in an informal setting, remarking, “If we were both at a cafe, I would tell you frankly.” One interviewer joked, “So we’ll know in six months?” to which Carla responded, “I wish I was more relaxed with these issues. But it is my husband’s job that multiplies things by 100,000 and that turns a kind of small fish into a whale.” Meanwhile, both her mother and father-in-law confirmed that she was with child in May. Paris Match wrote that according to Italian journal La Stampa, Carla’s mother Marisa Bruni Tedeschi announced she’d soon have a new grandchild at a family reunion in Turin. And Pal Sarkozy told Bild.de, “The two do not want to know the gender in advance, but I’m sure it will be a girl and as beautiful as Carla.” Read more at NiceMatin.com (in French). And take a look at Carla lately.
Continue reading …Carla Bruni Pregnant: French First Lady Officially Confirms Baby On The Way
July 16, 2011 No Comment
After months of speculation and recent bump de bébé sightings, Carla Bruni has officially confirmed that she is pregnant. The French first lady sat down with Nice Matin, alluding to a “happy event that is more and more difficult to conceal.” What follows is our translation of part of the interview: Why all of the discretion? First of all, to protect myself, to not put my private life on display. It’s a source of great happiness for me, but after all, it’s banal and the people [of France] have plenty of problems, so it would be inappropriate to talk about it. We are already so media-exposed. And what about the rumors that it’s a boy? Well, that — I don’t even know myself. There are things that we keep secret. How have you been organizing your days at Fort de Brégancon [the presidential retreat off the Mediterranean coast]? For me, the days are full of resting, really. In my state, it’s an incredible opportunity to stay here instead of the city. And I’m waiting for my husband, who will be coming down this weekend, before the August vacations. Isn’t “first lady of France” synonymous with vacation? (Smiles) Well for me, first lady of France isn’t a burden. It’s a job, with duties, but it’s nothing overwhelming. The bulk of the load is on my husband, I’m just with him. Three years as first lady — and it’s much less tiring than ten years of modeling. First lady of France is a responsibility, you can’t just say anything, but I’m not the tactless type and it’s a wonderful stage in my life. Will the upcoming birth change the way people view the presidential couple? I don’t know. The French people’s opinion is much different than those who see us in an intimate setting. It’s difficult to reconcile their vision and the reality of things. Bruni previously told reporters from Le Parisien that she’d only talk about her pregnancy in an informal setting, remarking, “If we were both at a cafe, I would tell you frankly.” One interviewer joked, “So we’ll know in six months?” to which Carla responded, “I wish I was more relaxed with these issues. But it is my husband’s job that multiplies things by 100,000 and that turns a kind of small fish into a whale.” Meanwhile, both her mother and father-in-law confirmed that she was with child in May. Paris Match wrote that according to Italian journal La Stampa, Carla’s mother Marisa Bruni Tedeschi announced she’d soon have a new grandchild at a family reunion in Turin. And Pal Sarkozy told Bild.de, “The two do not want to know the gender in advance, but I’m sure it will be a girl and as beautiful as Carla.” Read more at NiceMatin.com (in French). And take a look at Carla lately.
Continue reading …Carla Bruni Pregnant: French First Lady Officially Confirms Baby On The Way
July 16, 2011 No CommentAfter months of speculation and recent bump de bébé sightings, Carla Bruni has officially confirmed that she is pregnant. The French first lady sat down with Nice Matin, alluding to a “happy event that is more and more difficult to conceal.” What follows is our translation of part of the interview: Why all of the discretion? First of all, to protect myself, to not put my private life on display. It’s a source of great happiness for me, but after all, it’s banal and the people [of France] have plenty of problems, so it would be inappropriate to talk about it. We are already so media-exposed. And what about the rumors that it’s a boy? Well, that — I don’t even know myself. There are things that we keep secret. How have you been organizing your days at Fort de Brégancon [the presidential retreat off the Mediterranean coast]? For me, the days are full of resting, really. In my state, it’s an incredible opportunity to stay here instead of the city. And I’m waiting for my husband, who will be coming down this weekend, before the August vacations. Isn’t “first lady of France” synonymous with vacation? (Smiles) Well for me, first lady of France isn’t a burden. It’s a job, with duties, but it’s nothing overwhelming. The bulk of the load is on my husband, I’m just with him. Three years as first lady — and it’s much less tiring than ten years of modeling. First lady of France is a responsibility, you can’t just say anything, but I’m not the tactless type and it’s a wonderful stage in my life. Will the upcoming birth change the way people view the presidential couple? I don’t know. The French people’s opinion is much different than those who see us in an intimate setting. It’s difficult to reconcile their vision and the reality of things. Bruni previously told reporters from Le Parisien that she’d only talk about her pregnancy in an informal setting, remarking, “If we were both at a cafe, I would tell you frankly.” One interviewer joked, “So we’ll know in six months?” to which Carla responded, “I wish I was more relaxed with these issues. But it is my husband’s job that multiplies things by 100,000 and that turns a kind of small fish into a whale.” Meanwhile, both her mother and father-in-law confirmed that she was with child in May. Paris Match wrote that according to Italian journal La Stampa, Carla’s mother Marisa Bruni Tedeschi announced she’d soon have a new grandchild at a family reunion in Turin. And Pal Sarkozy told Bild.de, “The two do not want to know the gender in advance, but I’m sure it will be a girl and as beautiful as Carla.” Read more at NiceMatin.com (in French). And take a look at Carla lately.
Continue reading …George Anthony, Casey Anthony’s Father, Says She’s Not Welcome Home [UPDATE]
July 16, 2011 No Comment![George Anthony, Casey Anthony’s Father, Says She’s Not Welcome Home [UPDATE]](https://newsbreakingonline.com/wp-content/themes/transcript/timthumb.php?src=%3Cimg+src%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fnewsbreakingonline.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F07%2Fda27dd9201R-mini.jpg.jpg%22+%2F%3E&q=90&w=190&h=100&zc=1 "George Anthony, Casey Anthony’s Father, Says She’s Not Welcome Home [UPDATE]")
Casey Anthony is set to walk out of jail on Sunday, but she won’t be walking home. Her father George Anthony made it clear that his daughter will not be welcome in the family’s Orlando home upon her release, according to Fox News. [SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATE} In another sign that there’s a family feud, George is supporting “Caylee’s Law,” a petition named for Casey’s dead daughter that’s gone viral and is under consideration in several states. More than one million people signed the online petition which would make it illegal to not report a child’s death within an hour. Anthony waited 30 days before claiming to authorities that her daughter was missing. “Caylee’s Law will be groundbreaking, and will be up there assisting the Adam Walsh Act, the Lungsford Act, Amber Alert, and many others that are necessary for our children,” George Anthony told The Washington Post. It’s no surprise that George isn’t welcoming home his daughter with open arms. Bad blood between Casey and her dad became public while she was on trial. Her defense team alleged that George had sexually abused her. They didn’t stop there, leveling additional charges that he’d had an affair with a volunteer who was searching for Caylee. George also broke down on the stand when the defense questioned him about his 2009 suicide attempt. UPDATE: ABC News has since amended the original assertion that George Anthony did not want his daughter to return home. The correction: ABCNews.com published a story earlier today stating that sources said George Anthony did not want Casey Anthony to return to the family home when she is released from jail. George Anthony’s lawyer Mark Lippman has denied that George Anthony made that statement. “George has not expressed his feelings one way or the other. At such a time when he is ready, he will express what he wants to say,” Lippman said. CHECK OUT EVIDENCE FROM THE CASEY ANTHONY TRIAL
Continue reading …George Anthony, Casey Anthony’s Father, Says She’s Not Welcome Home [UPDATE]
July 16, 2011 No CommentCasey Anthony is set to walk out of jail on Sunday, but she won’t be walking home. Her father George Anthony made it clear that his daughter will not be welcome in the family’s Orlando home upon her release, according to Fox News. [SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATE} In another sign that there’s a family feud, George is supporting “Caylee’s Law,” a petition named for Casey’s dead daughter that’s gone viral and is under consideration in several states. More than one million people signed the online petition which would make it illegal to not report a child’s death within an hour. Anthony waited 30 days before claiming to authorities that her daughter was missing. “Caylee’s Law will be groundbreaking, and will be up there assisting the Adam Walsh Act, the Lungsford Act, Amber Alert, and many others that are necessary for our children,” George Anthony told The Washington Post. It’s no surprise that George isn’t welcoming home his daughter with open arms. Bad blood between Casey and her dad became public while she was on trial. Her defense team alleged that George had sexually abused her. They didn’t stop there, leveling additional charges that he’d had an affair with a volunteer who was searching for Caylee. George also broke down on the stand when the defense questioned him about his 2009 suicide attempt. UPDATE: ABC News has since amended the original assertion that George Anthony did not want his daughter to return home. The correction: ABCNews.com published a story earlier today stating that sources said George Anthony did not want Casey Anthony to return to the family home when she is released from jail. George Anthony’s lawyer Mark Lippman has denied that George Anthony made that statement. “George has not expressed his feelings one way or the other. At such a time when he is ready, he will express what he wants to say,” Lippman said. CHECK OUT EVIDENCE FROM THE CASEY ANTHONY TRIAL
Continue reading …George Anthony, Casey Anthony’s Father, Says She’s Not Welcome Home [UPDATE]
July 16, 2011 No CommentCasey Anthony is set to walk out of jail on Sunday, but she won’t be walking home. Her father George Anthony made it clear that his daughter will not be welcome in the family’s Orlando home upon her release, according to Fox News. [SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATE} In another sign that there’s a family feud, George is supporting “Caylee’s Law,” a petition named for Casey’s dead daughter that’s gone viral and is under consideration in several states. More than one million people signed the online petition which would make it illegal to not report a child’s death within an hour. Anthony waited 30 days before claiming to authorities that her daughter was missing. “Caylee’s Law will be groundbreaking, and will be up there assisting the Adam Walsh Act, the Lungsford Act, Amber Alert, and many others that are necessary for our children,” George Anthony told The Washington Post. It’s no surprise that George isn’t welcoming home his daughter with open arms. Bad blood between Casey and her dad became public while she was on trial. Her defense team alleged that George had sexually abused her. They didn’t stop there, leveling additional charges that he’d had an affair with a volunteer who was searching for Caylee. George also broke down on the stand when the defense questioned him about his 2009 suicide attempt. UPDATE: ABC News has since amended the original assertion that George Anthony did not want his daughter to return home. The correction: ABCNews.com published a story earlier today stating that sources said George Anthony did not want Casey Anthony to return to the family home when she is released from jail. George Anthony’s lawyer Mark Lippman has denied that George Anthony made that statement. “George has not expressed his feelings one way or the other. At such a time when he is ready, he will express what he wants to say,” Lippman said. CHECK OUT EVIDENCE FROM THE CASEY ANTHONY TRIAL
Continue reading …