The sleazy ploys of Britain’s unbridled tabloid journalism perennially treading into private spaces in order to dish out the muck on public figures came under cross hairs following a stark revelation from the newspaper ‘The Guardian’. It stated that a paper ‘The News of The World’ whose proprietor is media honcho, Rupert Murdoch, had clandestinely hacked into the cell phones of numerous celebs and top notch politicians.
The Guardian has accused Murdoch with shelling out sums of money to personal investigators to furtively acquire messages, bank account statements, voice-mail recordings, tax information and social security information amongst other vital information. Celebs like Elle Mac pherson, Jude Law, George Michael, Big Boss contestant Jade Goody, Gweyneth Paltrow amongst 3000 other prominent personalities have been targets to this sleazy hacking scam. Even high ranking politicians, ex-deputy prime minister, John Prescott amongst many others have been targets in this fraud.
The Guardian also mentioned how the whole news room at ‘The News of the World’ seems to be corrupt, also stating that 1 million pounds have been given in covert out-of-court agreements in three cases, with Gordan Taylor, the chief executive of Professional Footballers Association being one of them.
In 2007, Clive Goodman, the royal editor of ‘The News of the World’ was sent behind bars for a period of four months after he was caught interrupting phone calls and messages of the Royal House. Glenn Mulcaire, a private investigator who was the partner in crime, was imprisoned for six months as he has unlawfully procured messages of Prince Harry and Prince Williams. Glenn also deviously acquired classified PIN numbers from cell phone network providers, as a means to track down on the messages.
London Police chief, Paul Stephenson made a statement that he had chosen a leading Scotland Yard officer to delve into the matter in detail. In just seven hours, the police seemed to have scrupulously scrutinized the case with the Assistant commissioner of Police, John Yates proclaiming that no further enquiry was necessary.
