1. William Young Media Studies
The Leveson Enquiry – News International Phone Hacking Scandal
The Leveson Inquiry is an on-going public inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the British
press following the News International phone hacking scandal. On 6 July 2011, Prime Minister David
Cameron announced to Parliament that an inquiry would be established under the Inquiries Act
2005 to further investigate the affair. On 13 July, Cameron appointed Lord Justice Leveson as
Chairman of the inquiry, with a remit to look into the specific claims about phone hacking at the
News of the World, the initial police inquiry and allegations of illicit payments to police by the press,
and a second inquiry to review the general culture and ethics of the British media.
The News International phone-hacking scandal — dubbed "Hackgate", "Rupertgate", or
"Murdochgate" by the press — is an on-going controversy involving the defunct News of the World
and other British newspapers published by News International, a subsidiary of News Corporation.
Investigations conducted from 2005–2007 concluded that the paper's phone hacking activities were
limited to celebrities, politicians and members of the British Royal Family. In July 2011, it was
revealed that the phones of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, relatives of deceased British soldiers,
and victims of the 7/7 London bombings were also accessed, resulting in a public outcry against
News Corporation and owner Rupert Murdoch.
Notable victims of the Phone Hacking scandal included:
7/7 Victims
Relatives of Milly Dowler
Relatives of various British soldiers
Various celebrities, such as Andy Gray
Politicians and aides, such as Joan Hammell (aide to John Prescott)
The closure of the News of the World after 168 years in print was the first significant effect of the
scandal.
James Murdoch announced on 7 July 2011, that, after 168 years in print, the News of the World
would publish its last-ever edition on 10 July, with the loss of 200 jobs. News Corporation said that
all profits from the final edition would go to good causes. James Murdoch conceded the paper was
"sullied by behaviour that was wrong", saying "if recent allegations are true, it was inhuman and has
no place in our company."
Other executives of the company said the phone hacking was more widespread than previously
believed and that they are cooperating with investigations into the allegations. Editor Rebekah
Brooks told staff at a meeting that she recognised following an internal investigation that "other
shoes would drop", a phrase indicating that further revelations of wrongdoing would follow.
The last ever edition of The News Of The World,
released on 10th July 2011.
