The past fortnight has witnessed a media frenzy attacking News International over the telephone hacking issue and the police for alleged incompetence in investigating the hacking. Obviously these are important issues, but the danger is that restrictions on the media's freedom to investigate may be the eventual outcome of the inquiries set up to consider the issues. In the UK we have a secretive system of government. Curtailing the investigative tools at the disposal of the media will be welcomed by the establishment.
One of the unedifying spectacles during recent days has been the attacks made by two-bit politicians on News International and the police. Now, don't misunderstand me, there is much to criticise. However, the sight and sound of politicians 'bravely' speaking out leads me to ask why they were not so forthright before. The answer is simple: the two major parties sucked up to Murdoch. The police are being hammered in revenge for the investigation into the Honours scandal. As a letter writer to the Daily Telegraph put it:
Given Keith Vaz’s past disgrace, it would be nice if the lead in the questioning of police was taken by someone of greater credibility. Such as Coco the Clown.
There has been very little media coverage of the deterioration of the stability of the eurozone and the financial crisis developing in the United States, issues which could have a profound effect on the United Kingdom. The mere fact that there is even talk of returning to the Gold Standard should be sending out alarm signals.
Am I alone in thinking that the Westminster village and the media have got their priorities wrong?
KENT COMMUNITY ACTIVIST: acerbic, carping, caustic, curmudgeonly,critical, cynical, grumpy, moaning, sardonic and plain speaking.
well I actually think we wouldn't be in such a pickle if it wasn't for complicit old boy networking so I would like to see maximum exposure of everyones connections, because the financial predicament is actually part of the same picture, interesting the gold thing, did you hear that Gadaffi was planning on setting up a gold standard thing for the African countries, sort of African central bank, they have more gold per capita than us or America! Only heard that in conversation though so don't have a watertight source, just mentioning it that's all, because all sorts of things join together in all sorts of ways we didn't imagine. So I want the can of worms opened. Don't intend to be anonymous btw its Patricia Maverick Gledhill from FB just don't want to fill in, sign up or do complicated stuff :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Patricia
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