The fully justified death of the News of the World because of its bad journalism is due in large part to the good journalism of The Guardian, one of its British competitors.
For two years Guardian hack (to reclaim a proud old term) Nick Davies has been uncovering the illegal and immoral phone-hacking scandal at Rupert Murdoch’s tabloid.
Before today, NOTW journos and bosses issued the usual semi-apologies. A few low-level heads rolled.
Now that we know the hackers also attacked the voice mail of 13-year-old slain Milly Dowler, Murdoch has killed the paper, effective Sunday.
Before then, he also needs to fire News International CEO Rebekah Brooks.
In the least believable statement by a corporate executive since … oh, maybe something by former Enron chair Kenneth Lay, Brooks told NOTW staff:
We were all appalled and shocked when we heard about these allegations yesterday.
I have to tell you that I am sickened that these events are alleged to have happened.
Not just because I was Editor of the News of the World at the time, but if the accusations are true, the devastating effect on Milly Dowler's family is unforgivable.
“Appalled and shocked.” Yeah, right.
Good on Nick Davies and the Guardian.
