by Eric J Taylor

Created on: July 23, 2011   Last Updated: July 27, 2011

Only time will tell as to whether the now infamous "News of the World" phone hacking affair will leave any lasting impact upon this world.  At the moment, politicians are up in arms about the disgusting behaviour of journalists.  Around the world, they are calling to investigate the activities of the media.  I suspect, however, that these calls will lead to very little change.  Much has been made of the British Prime Minister David Cameron’s association with News Corporation, but he is not alone.   Politicians and the media travel cheek by jowl in this world and each knows that they cannot live without the other.  While the politicians may now be making loud noises, I will not wait with bated breath for any action by them.

What actions can our politicians take to control the activities of our media empires?  Do we really want our governments to have greater control over our media?  Such control will in fact be of no benefit to our societies.  One of the great attributes of western societies is the freedom our media has, in that constructive criticism of our governments can be made and shared with the public at large.  In societies where the media is controlled by governments, there is much evidence of government corruption and excessive control of the population.  A government-controlled media is not good for society.

Much is said in the media about “self-regulation”, but the activities of News Corporation highlights the fact that such self control is a myth.   The chance of any corporation, including the media, acting in the interest of anyone other than themselves is about the same as for an adolescent youth.  Generally they are well behaved when being watched by those who know them, but left alone they have no rules.  While every business must make a profit to survive, when the priority of that organisation is obsessed with that fact and has tunnel vision, issues will arise.  Similarly, when the employee of such an organisation becomes obsessed with grandeur, truth and honesty will be lost.

Discussion on the News of the World affair has now turned to the Murdoch family and to the extent that they had any responsibility.  It is interesting to watch this develop, living in the city of Adelaide, where News Limited (now News Corporation) as it is known today was born.  Starting life as the owner of an afternoon tabloid, “The News”, that

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