Telephone Hacking

The revelations concerning News International's involvement in telephone hacking continue to grow by the day.  Initially, it was revealed that famous people such as celebrities and prominent political figures had their telephones hacked and a legal battle ensued. It has now become evident that many common people had their phones hacked as well.  Among these people were victims of serious crimes, for example, the late Millie Dowler, and families and victims of the 7/7 bombing incidents among others.  Where does this stop or how widely has this perpetration spread?  How many other people in the United Kingdom had their phones hacked ? Is it endemic? Is it just a British problem or has it a wider international issue? Will the whole truth ever come out? It is also surprising that the British Police has been implicated to have participated in this practice by selling private telephone numbers to the hackers involved.

The matter is now in the hand of the police force who are investigating the seriousness of this "offensive" practice.  The outcome and consequences will follow.  Eminent legal professionals have suggested that serious criminal offences have been committed and criminal proceedings and appropriate actions should be taken. Offenders will be punished through imprisonment and fines.  Members of the police force involved will be sacked and face imprisonment if found guilty of misconduct.

How will this affect the standing of News International as a powerful media and broadcasting corporation, and the strong influence it has on the political parties in the UK and elsewhere? News International may even be subjected to a hefty fine that they can easily recoup by putting the price of their newspapers up by one pence a copy. Will this, however, have an effect on press freedom?  Will all this make a difference in the way the press and the media operate? If we look back to this infringement in ten years time, will the press and media, and News International in particular be a different and better behaved beast?

We shall just have to wait and see.

Good Bye and Good Luck until the next time.

Knight Owl.