A pundit said the other day there are two types of journalists: Those who work for News Corp and those who compete against News Corp. The latter are having a field day. There's blood in the media waters and it's attracting crowds. Even a shaving creme pie.
Led by Uber Media Baron Rupert Murdoch, News Corp became arguably one of the most powerful media companies in the world. A powerhouse in print and broadcast with online affiliates, often making headlines for the headlines and stories they broke.
Now it appears they might have broken the law while breaking headlines, hacking into the cell phones of political leaders to crime victims in England. A rogue operation within an organization led by a powerful rogue. Executives have been sacked or arrested, a whole newspaper was shut down.
The media business is highly competitive. Make that incredibly competitive. The outlets with the most eyeballs make the most money. And News Corp outlets like the Wall Street Journal and FOX News have the eyeballs. Just ask CNN or MSNBC.
So when a competitor is down, all's fair in love, war and journalism. Let the kicking begin!
Right now the lawbreaking appears to be contained only to England. But unsubstantiated reports have News Corp hacking into the cell phones of 9-11 victims here in the USA. Again, unsubstantiated reports. But there's enough smoke that the FBI is checking for the smallest sign of fire.
There's plenty at stake. News Corp owns several local television stations as part of it's US holding and they're licensed by the FCC, which if laws were broken, could yank those licenses. The White House, no doubt, is also watching with no small amount of glee that FOX News, which it considers to be "unfriendly" could be impacted by all the fall-out. Guess who likely called in the FBI?
Commentators on FOX News often take potshots at their lower-rated competition. Now the competition is returning fire. All are devoting significant air time and resources to covering the Murdoch saga with great enthusiasm.
I'm not taking sides in this other than if laws were broken or journalistic ethics compromised, those guilty need to be punished. I have my favorite news outlets and so do you. There are plenty to choose from. That said, everyone has to play by the rules. But the story is a juicy one and as long as it has legs, you can bet those who've been bested by News Corp will spare no expense or resources in covering this story. You can also bet there will be a movie about it.
To be fair, the coverage here on this side of the Atlantic has been fair, but also tough. FOX News isn't shying away from covering the story either, helping hold as it were, the spotlight that is on all News Corp properties.
What's next? Stay tuned. There will be no shortage of coverage--and it's great fun to watch.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
Led by Uber Media Baron Rupert Murdoch, News Corp became arguably one of the most powerful media companies in the world. A powerhouse in print and broadcast with online affiliates, often making headlines for the headlines and stories they broke.
Now it appears they might have broken the law while breaking headlines, hacking into the cell phones of political leaders to crime victims in England. A rogue operation within an organization led by a powerful rogue. Executives have been sacked or arrested, a whole newspaper was shut down.
The media business is highly competitive. Make that incredibly competitive. The outlets with the most eyeballs make the most money. And News Corp outlets like the Wall Street Journal and FOX News have the eyeballs. Just ask CNN or MSNBC.
So when a competitor is down, all's fair in love, war and journalism. Let the kicking begin!
Right now the lawbreaking appears to be contained only to England. But unsubstantiated reports have News Corp hacking into the cell phones of 9-11 victims here in the USA. Again, unsubstantiated reports. But there's enough smoke that the FBI is checking for the smallest sign of fire.
There's plenty at stake. News Corp owns several local television stations as part of it's US holding and they're licensed by the FCC, which if laws were broken, could yank those licenses. The White House, no doubt, is also watching with no small amount of glee that FOX News, which it considers to be "unfriendly" could be impacted by all the fall-out. Guess who likely called in the FBI?
Commentators on FOX News often take potshots at their lower-rated competition. Now the competition is returning fire. All are devoting significant air time and resources to covering the Murdoch saga with great enthusiasm.
I'm not taking sides in this other than if laws were broken or journalistic ethics compromised, those guilty need to be punished. I have my favorite news outlets and so do you. There are plenty to choose from. That said, everyone has to play by the rules. But the story is a juicy one and as long as it has legs, you can bet those who've been bested by News Corp will spare no expense or resources in covering this story. You can also bet there will be a movie about it.
To be fair, the coverage here on this side of the Atlantic has been fair, but also tough. FOX News isn't shying away from covering the story either, helping hold as it were, the spotlight that is on all News Corp properties.
What's next? Stay tuned. There will be no shortage of coverage--and it's great fun to watch.
Brian Olson
Conversation Starters Public Relations
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