´óÏó´«Ã½

Commentators discuss allegations that phone hacking was not confined to News of the World reporters but widespread among newspapers.

that politicians have a vested interest in not making a fuss about phone hacking:

"One of the great emblematic images of our age was that of party leaders waiting nervously each evening for the mighty Daily Telegraph to inform them which MPs they would destroy the following morning over expenses, the supposedly powerful in daily thrall to a non-elected editor.
Ìý
"Now the roles are reversed and a media empire is in trouble. Yet the choreography is unchanged. The elected leaders still pay homage to the non-elected owners. Who can blame them? Even with declining circulations, papers have the power to shape opinion and influence the views of broadcasters."

The not every politician agrees that newspapers are that powerful:

"The prime minister has always been more sceptical than the chancellor about the importance of print media, an attitude which probably owes something to his years working for Carlton Communications, which owned a major television station. It was Mr Osborne who assiduously cultivated newspaper editors in opposition, and indeed played the lead role in recruiting Mr Coulson. Mr Cameron, who sometimes struggled to disguise his disdain for Fleet Street, focused on getting his broadcast appearances right. The identity of Mr Coulson's successor will depend in large part on which of these perspectives prevails."

that the real fall out from the story is the effect Andy Coulson had on Tory policy:

"Mr Coulson has been criticised for what went on while he was a tabloid editor. But, from a political point of view, what has been far more damaging than the allegations of phone hacking is the inconsistency of message that he created while working for Mr Cameron. In the view of rightwingers, the News of the World man brought balance to the Conservative operation, putting red-top grit into the 'red Tory' oyster. "But that grit also muddied the water. By persuading the Conservative leader to focus more on crime, immigration and Europe, Mr Coulson undermined the careful rebranding operation on which Mr Cameron had embarked."

that more revelations will come out:

"This story, though, has begun to feel different. News International's stance smacks of an overweening sense of invulnerability. Yet the evidence is stacking up against it. Something in the political air says a dam may soon burst. No wonder Mr Murdoch is said to be an angry man."

on how fast the news cycle is churning out the phone hacking story:

"My own contacts in this matter suggest the practice has indeed been widespread. In the end, as with all things, it will not be the misbehaviour itself that will bring individuals to book, but whether there was a cover up. Heavens, have we even got time to clarify whether there is one?"

Links in full

•
•
•
•