Not the least astonishing aspect of the News of the World affair is the useless manner in which the Murdoch family has responded to the crisis. There appears to have been no plan, no attempt to get a grip on the situation; they have instead lurched from one miscalculation to another.
Not that Rupert sees it that way. Apparently the company has made only “minor mistakes” and the crisis has been handled “extremely well in every way possible”. Which is one way of looking at it.
The initial decision to simply shutter the News of the World took everyone by surprise. Perhaps the Murdochs assumed this would put an end to the matter. In retrospect, closing the paper simply invited additional questions. Murdoch’s apparent infatuation with Rebekah Brooks – saving her job at the expense of hundreds of others – suggested the emperor was more interested in protecting a court favourite than demonstrating any real remorse, far less reform.
Next they announced that, contrary to previous promises, they would no longer seek to spin-off Sky News should their bid to purchase the whole of BSkyB be accepted by the Competition Commission. This as-near-as-damnit dared parliament to discuss the matter. Perhaps the Murdochs did not think the House of Commons would challenge them. Well, as the old Scots phrase has it, they ken noo.
Then there was their response to a request to appear before the Culture, Media and Sport select committee on Tuesday. Rupert dismissed the very idea, perhaps presuming that his American citizenship granted him an exemption from trifling requests from mere parliamentarians. James Murdoch, supposedly preoccupied with this crisis, said he might be able to attend some time in August. Like James says, this is another self-inflicted wound struck by an empire in denial and that gives the impression, fairly or not, of considering itself above these things.
As with so many of the News of the World’s “dark arts” the question is not whether they, or the Murdochs’ disdain for parliament, were protected by the law but whether they were seemly. They were not and nor is the Murdochs’ arrogance and evident surprise that they – they! – should be questioned in such a fashion. I mean, the impudence of it!
Denial, panic, stalling and extraordinary arrogance: the hallmarks of any institution that’s too complacent for its own good and utterly incapable of grasping that things can change very quickly. What might have worked a fortnight ago won’t work now. These over-mighty barons are cruising for a bruising and everyone but them can see this is so.
Even a Dirty Digger should recognise some holes require no more digging and, indeed, are made worse by additional spadework.
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