WILL POWER REPORT: THE POLICE, POLITICIANS AND THE PRESS

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Nothing but the truth!

 

By Will Power

 

July 30, 2011 (San Diego)--It's no secret that politicians attempt to control the press. It's been happening forever. But when the press, politicians. and the police start working together secretly, you can get into a hell of a mess.

 

Free-speech supporters have been saying for years the growth of mass media conglomerates was dangerously anti-democratic. Rupert Murdoch's Empire in Britain, Australia, and the US is a case in point. Heads are rolling in Britain, in Scotland Yard of all places, as people struggle to cover up. Could the Murdoch Empire in the US fall? The Wall Street Journal? Fox News? The FBI is investigating in the US.

 

Sean Hoare, the UK reporter who started the entire investigation was found dead last week in his apartment. In another development, a computer, and various records belonging to Rebecca Brooks was found in a dumpster near her house. Brook's husband desperately tried to reclaim it, but police seized the notbook computer as "lost property". It will be interesting to see what is on it.

 

Clearly, British police have been compromised by Murdoch's people. This is no longer just a tabloid story. This involves some real moral questions about journalistic integrity and the firewall between the police and the press.

 

I doubt these practices are confined to Great Britain. One of the negative aspects of Internet Journalism is the instant communication of innuendo and rumor. The police are not immune from the desire to scoop information and use it politically. But it should be , and is, illegal and a prosecutable offense. Murdoch should sell off his assets and retire.

 

Ronald Reagan appointed Rupert Murdoch a US citizen, I think that honor should be revoked immediately. Murdoch is a dangerous demagogue and his US assets should be broken up and sold to somebody with some journalistic integrity. As for the US Progressives who have long questioned the integrity of Fox News, they can all say "We told you so!"


Will Power is a retired history teacher and creative writing instructor. The opinions expressed in this author reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine.
 


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