British Gazette readers have been awaiting this organ’s commentary on the News International saga. Some might will expect this organ to sate that there is a great movement afoot by the politically correct left wing/liberal establishment to rid themselves of the turbulent former Australian, now a US citizen, Mr Murdoch.
The facts are however less political and more economic. It is a fact that as technology develops new industries come about and great fortunes are made. It is also a fact that these technologies and industries are superseded by new technologies and industries.
A classic example are the canals. The canals made great fortunes for the pioneers such as the Duke of Bridgwater. But the canals were superseded by the railways, which in turn lost out to road transport. Some industries adapt and survive. Cunard – owners of the White Star line – have survived by operating their fleet of passenger ships and floating hotels on cruises to nowhere. Originally, the great steamships provided a fast passenger service across the North Atlantic from Europe to America. This business has now been replaced – for the most part – by aeroplanes.
As it is with these industries, so it is with newspapers. The great revolution occurred a while back with the development of the internet. People have stopped buying newspapers in the numbers they used to. For example; the writer only buys one newspaper a week – the Daily Mail on Saturday – and this is for the TV guide. This is why Mr Murdoch was so keen to gain 100% ownership and control of B Sky B – something that appears now to be beyond his grasp.
As to the matter of the scandal – and the British Gazette undoubtedly would maintain that it is a scandal – of the hacking into the mobile phone messages of the late Millie Dowler and the disruption caused to the police investigation into Millie Dowler’s murder and the distress caused to her suffering parents and sister, was caused by the News Of The World’s desire to sell newspapers.
The News Of The World was one of the most successful papers as it gave the people what they wanted. Gossip, scandal and prurience. The simple financial facts of life are these: If the readership were disgusted at the News Of The World’s antics they would have stopped buying the paper.
Mr Rupert Murdoch is/was one of the world’s most successful businessmen. He was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He obtained his fortune by dint of his own hard work and perseverance. Mr Murdoch knows the basic rule of retailing: if a customer walks into your shop and asks for a pound of oranges, you sell him a pound of oranges. You do not suggest he buy a pound of lemons instead. You take the customer’s money, hand him the oranges and you may then ask if he would like a pound of lemons to go with the oranges, but only after you have rung up the money on the till.
It is all very well for the masses to heap indignation upon such as Mr Murdoch and Mrs Brooks, but these things would not have occurred had not there been a market for the end product. The case of Mr Moseley is worth considering. There is nothing sections of the British public like more than to read about prurient and distasteful goings on amongst the rich and famous. It is oft said that what is of interest to the public is not necessarily in the public interest. In Mr Moseley’s case some of his bizarre spare time activities were found out and publicised. The News Of The World piously regarded this piece of journalism – that was several steps down from the gutter – as being in the public interest and holding a public figure to account.
Excuse us? Mr Moseley was connected with the sport of Formula One Motor Racing. So far as we know, no public money is spent on this sport that is funded by multinationals. It hardly comes under any category that could hope to receive such as funding from the national lottery! Clearly there was NO public interest here.
The reason why the News Of The World made Mr Moseley’s peculiar predications public was to make money. No more. No less. Before the public heap scorn on News International, maybe they should ask themselves: Did they go out to buy the News Of The World to read about Mr Moseley?
Politically, the probable removal from the UK media scene of Mr Murdoch is not helpful as it will cause the Brussels Brainwashing Commissariat to become even more powerful. As the newspapers decline and are replaced by free online media the BBC’s star will shine all the brighter. Whilst Eurorealists might regard this as a disaster one must remember that Mr Murdoch endorsed Tony Blair – that man who signed the European Constitution therefore becoming one of the most prominent and audacious traitors in British history.
Speaking the Truth unto the Nation
