Accusations that journalists at Rupert Murdoch’s UK newspapers hacked into the phones of politicians, celebrities and innocent people caught up in the news – including child murder victims – has severely bruised his media empire.
It has forced the closure of Britian’s biggest-selling paper, a withdrawal for his bid for the broadcaster BSkyB and the resignation of his trusted UK chief executive Rebekah Brooks.
The following is a timeline of the scandal:
November 2005 – News of the World prints a story about Prince William injuring his knee, prompting royal officials to complain to police about probable voice mail hacking.
January 2007 – News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire are convicted of conspiracy to hack into phone voice mails of royals and are jailed. Andy Coulson, the paper's editor, claims to be unaware of hacking but still resigns.
July 2007 – Goodman and Mulcaire sue the tabloid for wrongful dismissal. Goodman receives £80,000 and Mulcaire receives an undisclosed amount.
June 2008 – News Group Newspapers pays a £700,000 settlement to soccer executive Gordon Taylor, whose phone was hacked by Mulcaire.
November 2009 – Britain's Press Complaints Commission releases a report concluding that there is no evidence of continued phone hacking.
March 2010 – A celebrity public relations agent agrees to drop his lawsuit against News of the World for a payment of more than £1 million.
May 2010 – Coulson becomes the spokesman for British Prime Minister David Cameron.
September 2010 – Former News of the World journalist Sean Hoare alleges that phone hacking was a common practice at the paper and encouraged by Coulson.
January 21, 2011 – Coulson resigns as Cameron's spokesman because of coverage of the phone hacking scandal.
January 26, 2011 – British Metropolitan Police launch a new investigation into voice mail hacking allegations at News of the World.
April 5, 2011 – News of the World chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck and former editor Ian Edmondson are arrested on suspicion of intercepting voice mail messages.
April 10, 2011 – News of the World officially apologizes for hacking into voice mails from 2004 to 2006 and sets up a compensation system for unnamed victims.
April 14, 2011 – Senior News of the World journalist James Weatherup is arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to intercept communications.
June 7, 2011 – Actress Sienna Miller settles with News of the World for £100,000 in damages and legal fees.
June 23, 2011 – Freelance journalist Terenia Taras is arrested on suspicion of phone hacking.
July 5, 2011 – It is revealed that News of the World journalists possibly hacked into then-missing teenager Milly Dowler's voice mail and deleted messages to free space, causing her parents to believe she was still alive.
July 6, 2011 – Rupert Murdoch, CEO of News Corp., the parent company of News of the World owner News International, promises full cooperation with the investigation and calls the accusations against News of the World "deplorable and unacceptable."
July 7, 2011 – News International announces that the July 10 edition of News of the World will be the paper's last.
July 8, 2011 – Coulson, former communications chief to UK Prime Minister Cameron and former editor of News of the World, is arrested. Goodman, the paper’s former royal editor who served a four-month jail term in 2007 is also arrested on corruption allegations.
July 10, 2011 – The News of the World publishes it final edition with the headline “Thank you and goodbye.”
Rupert Murdoch flies into London to take personal charge of the crisis.
July 11, 2011 – Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown accuses other News International papers of illegally obtaining private information about him.
July 12, 2011 – British lawmakers ask Rupert and James Murdoch and Brooks to testify before them.
July 13, 2011 – News Corp. withdraws its bid to take over British satellite broadcaster BSkyB.
UK Prime Minister Cameron announces a wide-ranging public inquiry into the British press.
July 14, 2011 – The FBI launches an investigation into allegations that News Corp. employees or associates hacked into the phones of 9/11 victims, a federal source says.
Rupert and James Murdoch agree to give evidence to a committee of British lawmakers.
A 60-year-old man, widely reported to be Neil Wallis, a former executive editor of the News of the World, is arrested.
July 15, 2011 – Brooks resigns as chief executive of News International.
Les Hinton resigns as head of Dow Jones and publisher of The Wall Street Journal; he was Brooks' predecessor at News International.
Rupert Murdoch visits the family of murdered teenager Milly Dowler, whose voice mail had been hacked.
July 16, 2011 - Rupert Murdoch apologizes to the British public with full-page advertisements in seven national newspapers.
July 17, 2011 - Rebekah Brooks is arrested, questioned for about 12 hours, and released on bail until October, police and her spokesman say.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Paul Stephenson – who leadsLondon’s police and is theUK’s highest ranking policeman – resigns. It comes after revelations that former News of the World executive editor Neil Wallis later become a communications consultant for the police.
Stephenson says he decided to resign because increased scrutiny connected to the case would burden his department and detract from its accomplishments.
July 18, 2011 - News International places further advertisments in UK newspapers, explaining how it is "putting right what's gone wrong"
m.s.mohamed ansari
All press and media Arabs leader and G20 leader control by A TO Z + 8
QUEEN + 8
Royal wedding cost. 10 generation total $ 57 trillion
Each every politician rolling 8 years only
But queen family enjoying 10 generation
GLOBAL ECONOMIC FALL REASON WAR. Improve economy
Only peace and prayer
I am also happy kill osma bin laden
Turing point of global economy. Islam not allowed Terries Terries people not for Muslim
1. Please avoid war. Day by day war cost increase $ 3.5 trillion
2. Global economy in crisis
3. International job less
4. Global financial crisis
5. Financial crisis for every manufacture
6. World poverty problem
7. Each every single man effected
8. Ignore future death million of already death
9. million Of people wounded
10. Global environment climate will be change this will lead global agriculture problem
JUSTICE IS IN PERIL. SAVIOUR OF INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE ALONE CAN PROTECT HUMANITY
Mr.M.S.Mohamed Ansari,
154, Angappa Naicken Street,
Chennai – 600 001.
Tamil Nadu, India.
ToThe Hon’ble Chief Justice,
The Supreme Court,
United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
Fax no: 213.547.8080
Sir,
Sub: Prosecution of previous President Mr. George W.Bush, for violation of International Code of Conduct.
Mr. George W.Bush, the previous President of United States of America, initiated a war against IRAQ, without obtaining the previous sanction of United Nations Organization (UNO) on the pretext of having nuclear weapons, even though the then IRAQ government openly exhibited to the whole world that it has no nuclear weapons.
According to the CNN WORLD report, in the war 6, 75,000 civilians killed, 7500 troops of USA and its allied forces killed 3 25 000 people wounded and $ 3.5 Trillion Dollar spent for the war. This spending of $ 3.5 Trillion Dollar is the main cause of action for the present economic crises prevailing all over the world.
After winning the war against IRAQ, the United States of America’s President Mr. George W.Bush, also admitted the same fact, and he openly stated that the Intelligence agency misguided him.
Later on, even the United Nations Organization (UNO) also certified that the IRAQ has no nuclear weapons.
Then it is the bounded duty of the United States of America and its allied forces to withdraw from IRAQ.
But instead of withdrawing from IRAQ, the United States of America and its allied forces formed a government in IRAQ, under their control and administered the entire IRAQ, and its peoples.
This indicates a clear violation of duty by the President of United States of America Mr. George W.Bush and also a clear case of violation of the International Code of Conduct for UNO members.
Thus Mr. George W.Bush attracts prosecution for the above said offence.
Thus I hereby pray this Hon’ble Court initiate criminal proceedings against Mr. George W. Bush, and give him maximum punishment for
a) Initiating the war against the IRAQ
b) Killing its innocent IRAQI peoples
c) Killing troops of USA and allied forces and
d) The present economic crises.
e) 3 25 000 people wounded
Dated on this day of 13th day of April, 2009.
Yours truly, (M.S.MOHAMED ANSARI)
COPY TO
The Chief Justice, the International Court of Justice, The Hague, Netherlands.
The Secretary General, United Nations Organization
The Chief Justice, the Supreme Court, IRAQ.
His Excellency Mr.Barack Obama, the President of United States of America, White House, Washington D.C.
@Mohammed...it took over two years just to plan the Normandy beach invasion. One invasion...two years. The War on Iraq was planned-out well before GW Bush took office, when in the late 1980s-early 90s, The Carlyle Group negan buying-up the mineral rights to thousands of old oilwells in the Caspian Basin. Most laughed at this aquisition, because there was simply no way to get this oil to market, and the oilwells would all need refurbishing, costing some 50 billion dollars. Why would a group of investors purchase old dry oilwells that they couldn't afford to refurbish, and even if they could, any pipelines running to potential customers would have to be built through countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran (next). How these men knew that the US gov. was planning on occupying these three nations is no mystery. The Group are men like George HW Bush, Frank Carlucci, James Baker III, John Major, etc. Of course they knew.
So, having made these purchases based on the wild assumption that they could invade and occupy Afghanistan and Iraq, how did (the Carlyle Group etc) envision that they could get public and Congressional support to carry out an agenda which both they, alongside the powerful neoconservative cartel in Washington DC, admitted would be all but impossible to carry out without said support? Two words, which don't even require stating.
These occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq were NOT based on revenge for 9/11 nor the fighting of any "War" on terror. These occupations were planned-out years in advance, long before 9/11, long before you had ever even heard of Usama bin Laden. We all know of the men in charge of planning wars, we know who they are. That these same men would form a group and and end-up profiting heavily from these wars and occupations is...what? A coincidence?
It's not a coinkydink folks. It's corporate fascism in action. Executed to perfection. The M.I.C. isn't something to fear. It's something you can observe even now. There is no coming "One World Order" that would strip-nations of their national pride and boundaries, it is here and it is now, and it has been for a long, long time. Howso? There are no longer any national boundaries standing in the way of profit. They only stand in the way of people now, and for a long, long time this has been the case. Our war-mongers are beancounters! They even print their own beans to count! It's amazing. What a wonderful time to be living. It's just incredible these and all the other events being played-out right before our very eyes. Just incredible.
Too bad you all have been missing it for the past 30 years. It's been a hella ride for me. I didn't "learn" of these things online! These "things" started happening when Bill Gates was a pup! for crying out loud people! Brown&Root/Halliburton was hooked-up with Uncle Sam the day Dwight David Eisenhower left office! (well, JFK kinda got in the way for a bit) As soon as Richard Milhous Nixon made it possible for an President to go to war without Congressional approval, it was ON. And now, thanks to the www, we don't all have to be old men, old oilfield trash men like me. You folks should really follow this stuff. Intrigue, drama, mystery, annnnd ACTION! it's got it all big-time.
I really know what 9/11 was about despite your efforts to muddy the waters with your ink spray as you swim away like the spinless squid that you are. It was drama though you're right about that. I will pray that you find healing for your damaged soul.
@ @Philip...I've raised some very serious issues here, and have reported what I personally know to be true. Why on earth you would focus on a simpleton like me with these giant issues in your face is beyond me. Pestering the messenger isn't how one naturally would go about about proving the message wrong. Unless of course that's all you have. Nothing of substance, and ashamed to even shoow your own face. Pity who?
...and as if I made this all up. John Grisham couldn't have made this up. Get a clue. You all have been decieved, for decades, mainly through your avid television talking-heads viewing. You've been programmed. The propaganda is part of the program, the TV program. I've never owned a TV myself. Sure I've watched a lot of TV. i'm old and everyone else has 3 or 4 TV's going all the time. The programming is constantly bombarding YOU, not me. So of course my point of view would vastly vary from yours, and challenge your programmed opinions. But you have been programmed to attack the messenger, not the message. So that's what you do. Walking zombies all.
"The FBI launches an investigation into allegations that News Corp. employees or associates hacked into the phones of 9/11 victims, a federal source says."
http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/ghosts-in-the-machine/
@ Philip
he one who posted at 8:15 & 8:27 AM. And who's posts I look forward to reading. Well & aptly stated.
As for 9/11, most thinking folks around the world have already figured out that this most damaging of crimes against America & Americans was not committed or orchestrated by Al-Qeda/ Osama Bin Laden. Or that they may have been planning something like this which was way beyond their scope, it was forces other than them who masterminded the horror.
And thanks to folks like the reputed california architect Richard gage & thousand of his colleagues, the veteran BBC/ITN correspondent Alan Hart ( who have been investigating & collecting evidence), people in NASA, in the aviation & such thinking Americans are now have serious doubts about the official version of 9/11 attacks.
Perhaps Americans would never truly learn of the facts. As for Rupert Murdoch & his propagandist media empire which contributed to getting this nation attuned to the agenda landing us in he mess we are in today. I hope he gets what is coming to him & he deserves the worst.
If anybody needs a pic of my Mom sukcin a big coc pls send money order to: Juan Banuelos 349 E main st..Bronx NY. Only $9.95. Thank you
@saywhat...well said! You don't watch much TV do you. he he. Good post there. Nothing can be done about it now though, not that anything really could have been. There's something about the threat of shotgun beanbags and water cannons that make people forget.Oh yeah...and tazers. They didn't have those before. (shrug)
Uno untied nations organization wishes to express their concern to engage a cease and desist order in order to initiate and bring to conclusion the investigation intothe above matter.it is advisable to all parties that it is to their best interests to facilitate and protect our work. Sincerely this day of july sixteen .......
It took, according to the timeline, 4 years for Murdoch to drum up enough interest to do something about this incredibly unsavory affair?! Any lay person can see this is not the way to run an empire, & expect it to flourish! He should've got involved in 07-08 when there was still time to save the biz! Now theres only time to live down a scandal & take your "medicine"!!
.....everybody who owns a tv is a dummy...and only the people who agree with Philip are enlightened....Riiiiight.