As the world's most popular newspaper, News of the World, kills itself in shame, politicians in Britain have started the most difficult task of soul-searching. And, everyone across the isle - Tories and Labour alike are asking themselves how could they allow someone to establish him as the powerbroker of the world's finest democracy by virtue of his holdings in various media outlets.
Obituary writers of this 168-year old newspaper (Tabloid culture on trial) have expressed their sadness in the sudden demise of the title because it earned its fame through investigative journalism and almost certainly breaking the barriers. However, in the end, this trait not only led them to engage in criminal enterprises, but commit immoral and despicable acts. There's strong suspicion that the media mogul has sacrificed this much-loved British institution in a desperate act to save his bid for gaining full control of TV network BskyB. Perhaps, that's the reason the NoTW scandal has gripped the whole British nation. This scandal has been discussed in sermons given by priests and Imams. Imam Azmal Mashroor in his Friday sermon to the congregation at North London's Green Lane Mosque was heard saying that an Empire could be built on deceit and corruption in Britain is unbelievable. Imam Mashroor, a Bangladeshi immigrant said if it happened in Pakistan or Bangladesh no one could have raised their eye-brows. But, the nexus between journalists, police and politicians revealed in the scandal was a big shock for the wider community.
Exploiting the power of a weekend tabloid, the Australian tycoon, Rupert Murdoch expanded his media empire in Britain at such a level that most politicians started believing that without any blessing of the Murdoch family and their associates there are no future for him/her in politics. Tony Blair, who spearheaded, Labour Party's return to power after almost two decades realised that very early and that's the reason he flew away half of the globe to visit him in Australia and got News International's popular title, The Sun's endorsement in 1997 election.
Prime Minister Cameron also learnt his lesson very early and hired a News International top-notch as his media adviser. The worst shame that led the News International's money-spinning tabloid, News of The World to the Gallows, illegal phone hacking of some victims of most horrific crimes allegedly took place under the watch of Cameron's ex-adviser Andy Coulson.
Apart from ongoing political furore that Mr Cameron is facing now, another major issue that has drawn in substantial public interest is the future of BSkyB , Europe's largest commercial broadcaster who holds major rights in most of the live sports events and film distribution.
Opponents of Murdoch family taking full control of BskyB, which awaits government's approval, (its current holdings of around forty per cent) have now got strongest ever public support against such move. The reason is fear. Fear of a media mogul who famously boasted his power after last few elections by declaring in one of his publications that 'The Sun has won it (for Blair/ Cameron)'.
Over the years, Murdoch Empire has grown beyond borders and continents. In the United States he has the rightwing network Fox Broadcasting Company, The Wall Street Journal and New York Post. In Asia, including one of the largest markets, India he holds substantial interests in Star TV Networks. Many people believe that his political influence is also growing maintaining the pace of his media empire's expansion.
Politicians in other countries, perhaps, would be better advised to take note that plurality in media business is quite crucial for open and vibrant democracies. Concentration of too many titles in a single hand is as bad as state-controlled media in autocracies.
মন্তব্যসমূহ
একটি মন্তব্য পোস্ট করুন