So is anyone going to continue buying NOTW?

[needanewname]

Not that I ever really got it (holidays maybe for a bot of a laugh) but no more.

I wasn;t bothered too much by the celebs (though can see why they were obviously!) but to do that, its beyond disgusting.

But wiltl anything actually happen, or will they just repeat the usual lessons will be learnt shit

wannaBe... whilst you can correctly blame Joe Public for its endless appetite for nasty gossip, I don't think readers could have been expected to know that the information was gained through such underhand means. We're all familiar with doorstepping tactics and we know journalists are not the most principled people on earth... but 'hacking the dead', I don't think anyone would have honestly suspected.

I question, however, the relative morality of the public. When we thought phone-hacking was limited to a few royals, celebs and John Prescott there was a collective shoulder-shrug. When Wikileaks posted information gained who knows how, it was almost applauded as a noble exercise in freedom of information. It's sad that it's taken a connection with dead children to get us upset.

To be fair Cogito wikileaks info was leaked by a bone fide adult whistleblower, for the 'greater good' as he saw it. That whistleblower is currently suffering in isolation in USA's worst jail. (The fact that people have died as a result of the wikileaks cables still remains though).

The problem is the invincibility News International journalists feel, there is a pervading atmosphere across NOTW, The Sun, The Times, The Sunday Times and Sky TV that working there means you are working in the most powerful and influential organisation in Britain, much more so than the government. In fact, the government answers to you (which indeed our last and current prime-ministers do, to Murdoch. Jump sir? how high sir?). (I used to work there, so first-hand experience). News International staff think they are somewhere next to God in terms of self-importance, having the weighty hand of history upon them (especially Times journos) and being above usual laws and ethics.

Boycotting NOTW will make headlines this week, but in the long run, unless Murdoch's media empire in the UK is broken down (just as he broke the newspaper unions to build it in the first place) nothing will change. He is the most influential man in every British household.

There are alternative newspapers and news websites to read. However, while Sky Sports exists, for one, I can never see that happening. What man, or pub, would forego that?

I think this will blow over in a few weeks then all will carry on as before, I'm sad to say.

cogito perhaps not in the beginning, although secret filming etc has been well known for some time afaik. But the thing is, this phone hacking has been common knowledge for years now, and yet the paper's sales haven't dropped, so actually, clearly readers have been well aware of the tactics used and have just chosen not to care because it's a celeb or a politician in the firing line.

Had the NOTW published any of the information obtained from Milly Dowler's voicemails I unfortunately have little doubt that people would have bought the paper to read about it.

"I think this will blow over in a few weeks then all will carry on as before, I'm sad to say"

You're probably right. But I think the legacy may drag on for some time. Looks like we'll be having inquiries into police behaviour, some high-ranking NI execs will be for the chop, advertisers might go elsewhere depending on how long-standing the public reaction is. The Sky deal probably won't go through now - that's significant. Take the point about Sky Sports... can hardly see Sep Blatter et al making a moral stand and withdrawing from contracts. :)

I think you're confusing the issue, WannaBe. Yes, secret filming and the like has been used for years in investigative journalism.

Tapping into the phones of the murdered and bereaved for gossip, though? No. Very few knew about that and it's specifically this behaviour that has caused such revulsion and condemnation.

The Sky deal will go through, but it will be delayed.

That's the cynic in me.

I changed my Sunday paper to the Independent from The Times.

Well, Jux, if it does then I predict 'Jeremy' becoming a popular addition to rhyming slang.

Very specifically, secret filming, etc, in investigative journalism has the legal defence of being "in the public interest" - and this gets tested in the courts for individual stories.

Not the same thing as "the public is interested" in random sleb's sex life, or the anguish of someone grieving their child.

at Grimma.

Yes, TIANC - and (as I said on another thread) if an editor or owner of a paper can't tell the ethical difference then they shouldn't be in the business.

Grimma, it already is. And tragically - like a kid joining in with his bullies at school - he seems fine about it. (besides which I think 'cunt' is far too nice a word for him)

Like many others here, I don't but NOTW but do have Sky (which I've cancelled. I'd rather attach a colander to my roof than keep piping my cash to NewsCorp...)

I'm also boycotting brands who advertise in NOTW - not that I really give a stuff about them (few have shown the moral courage that Justine has in ditching the Sky deal as soon as the Milly Dowler news broke) but because I think the only reason we've had a parliamentary debate about this and a possible inquiry is that Parliament feels emboldened by public reaction. And sadly, lost revenue is the only thing that will make a real impact on News International.

Just really, really hope that NOTW's figures are way down this Sunday or NI will feel even more contempt for us than they do already.

NOTW has and always will be nothing but a tabloid dragging unfortunate people into their world, I find jouralists a very distasteful bunch I have met a few menial ones at dinners etc, I live in a council house and I am "A" class compared to them

Just had to retune my radio from Absolute ( - I like their cheesy pop) because they are advertising their "beautiful friendship" with Sky.

I'll happy boycott NOTW as never would have bought it anyway. Am a bit sad that the Times is owned by Murdoch also will have to stop buying that on a Sunday now too :(

happy = happily

Just seen that Tesco are declining to withdraw their advertising from NotW. I doubt they will be the only ones but still disappointing.

proud to say I've never spent any money with News Corp or News International. None of their companies will ever get my business and they never will.

This latest installment is some of the worst I've seen, but Murdoch and his empire have long been lacking in ethics and their ultra right-wing stance is not something I wish to associate with.

Well there's a suprise, OddBoots:

1.27pm: Re Tesco, James Robinson has noticed that Andrew Higginson, Chief Executive of Retailing Services and Group Strategy Director at Tesco, also sits as a non-executive director on the BSkyB board. (from Guardian blog thingy)

Conflict of interests?

Only ever bought it the once, when they did a kiss and tell on a celeb I used to work with.

If I bought the paper in the first place, then I would boycott it.

no chance,i have warned dh who buys it for the sport.

thanks for thelist of pulications. Am going to have to forego the joys of The Tasmanian Mercury....

Tesco - nooo...it's were we all meet up in Glossop!! Well the old farts anyway.

"have warned dh who buys it for the sport."

I changed years ago from The Times to The Independent. I much prefer The Independent.

I may not be "posh" but I do have too high an IQ to buy this shit ever