Is this Armageddon for Murdoch and NewsCorp?

23 April 2012 Last updated at 02:42 Share this pageEmail Print Share this page

The Leveson Inquiry is to hear evidence this week from several newspaper owners and news bosses, including Rupert Murdoch and his son, James.

The inquiry into press standards is now focusing on the relationship between newspapers and politicians.

On Monday, Aidan Barclay, the chairman of Telegraph Media Group, and Evgeny Lebdev, owner of the Independent and London Evening Standard, are to appear.

News Corp boss Rupert Murdoch appears on Wednesday, a day after son James.

The 81-year-old News Corporation chairman and chief executive is also expected to give evidence on Thursday.

'Responsible journalism'

The inquiry - launched in the wake of revelations about the News of the World hacking the phones of prominent people - is resuming at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London after a break of almost three weeks.

It has already looked at the relationship between the press and the public, including phone hacking and other potentially illegal behaviour, and the relationships between the press and police.

Sky News boss John Ryley is also among witnesses listed to appear on Monday.

He is likely to be questioned about email hacking by one of his reporters.

He is expected to be asked why he believes the hacking of back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin, a convicted fraudster, was in the public interest even though such a defence is not available under the Computer Misuse Act.

Continue reading the main story
Analysis
Peter Hunt

Royal correspondent

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rupert Murdoch will be one of Leveson's most significant witnesses.

An inquiry team looking at press standards will have before them a proprietor who has owned nearly 200 newspapers.

There is so much they could ask. There will be limitations. They won't want to go where the police are still investigating.

A dozen of Mr Murdoch's current and former employees at the Sun have been arrested by officers examining alleged illegal payments to public officials.

Mr Murdoch's relationships with politicians will be safer territory to explore. Tony Blair, for example, is godfather to one of his children.

When Rupert Murdoch last gave evidence on such topics, he spoke of his humility and he was attacked with a foam pie. His Leveson appearance is likely to be just as memorable.

Read more from Peter

The broadcaster has admitted hacking the emails from Darwin, who faked his own death in a canoe, and his wife Anne.

But it said police "absolutely knew" the emails - which it passed to officers working on the Darwin case - were obtained by hacking.

And it said the action was in the public interest and amounted to "responsible journalism".

But the week will be dominated by the Murdochs and their companies, who will give evidence to the inquiry for the first time.

On Tuesday, James Murdoch is likely to be asked why it took him so long to appreciate the full extent of phone hacking at the News of the World (NoW).

He resigned as the executive chairman of News International in February.

Then, on Wednesday and Thursday, Rupert Murdoch will be questioned about practices at his British newspapers in the light of the phone-hacking scandal which led to the closure of the NoW.

He is likely to be asked whether he exerted undue influence over British public life through his papers and his regular meetings with top politicians.

The court is expected to be packed for his evidence sessions.

It will be the billionaire's highest profile public appearance since he gave evidence to the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee last July.

Then, he told MPs he met David Cameron "within days" of the 2010 general election and was invited to Downing Street by Gordon Brown "many times". Tony Blair is godfather to one of his children.

Mr Murdoch told MPs it was the "most humble day" of his life and apologised for the phone-hacking scandal, but the session was disrupted when a protester attacked him with a foam pie.

The inquiry has already heard from Richard Desmond, owner of the Express and Daily Star titles.

It is expected to take evidence from Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday owner Lord Rothermere in the coming weeks.

Is Murdoch still corrupting Parliament's Select Committee?








Anthony Barnett, 19 April 2012


About the author

Anthony Barnett is the founder of openDemocracy and the Co-Editor of its UK section, Our Kingdom.


When the scandal of Murdoch's influence finally broke in July last year – thanks team Guardian – I took the opportunity to support the argument that father and son are not fit and proper people to run our media companies. I followed it up with an analysis of how Murdoch locked into the political structure of British rule (or misrule) in After Murdoch, which was widely linked to and cross-posted in the US.

A key illustration of the argument was the open intimidation of Parliament by the then editor of the News of the World, Rebekah Brooks (see the report by the Guardian's Nicholas Watt in September 2010). The Culture, Media and Sports Committee had in 2009 abandoned plans to force the then Sunday paper's Editor to appear before them after the Committee Chairman warned its members that the paper would "go for us".

There are two scandals here. The most obvious, is the intimidation and suborning of parliament by a Murdoch editor. The much more important one is the impunity with which she acted and the fact that after it became known nothing was done. Where were the brave MPs who so vocally defended the sovereignty of parliament against the EU or the European Court of Justice, when its sovereignty was being bullied inside the gothic temple itself? Were they keeping their heads under a blanket in case they too were worked over? Why didn't the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition unite in their fury against such an attack on our democracy, instead of treating it as normal?

The bigger scandal was not - and is not - the existence of Murdoch's threats but their appeasement by the political class, the acceptance by the authorities that such appeasement was routine, encouraged by the promotion of previous Editors of the News of the World to the highest positions inside Number 10. Don't blame Murdoch alone for taking advantage of such weakness, when the greater responsibility lies with those who permitted it - and then sought to benefit from their pact with his influence.

The story now takes a new turn. Tom Watson MP, an outstanding member of the current Committee, and the journalist Martin Hickman, have just launched their impressive book, Dial M for Murdoch, a clearly written account of the phone hacking scandal to date.

At a press conference this morning Watson spoke of Murdoch’s company exerting "a malign and corrupting influence on Britain’s public institutions" and quoted a former News International reporter, Neville Thurlbeck, saying that his paper had deliberately targeted MPs on the influential media select committee in 2009-10 as they wrote their report on hacking.

According to Watson, Thurlbeck said: "There was an edict came down from the editor and it was, find out every single thing you can about every single member: who was gay, who had affairs, anything we can use. Each reporter was given two members and there were six reporters" - according to Dan Sabbagh and Lisa O'Carroll who report on the press conference, adding that Watson called Murdoch's News Corp "toxic" and a "shadow state".

This allegation, relating to events before the hacking scandal blew wide open, is alarming enough. But I'm told that the exchanges which followed at the press conference were more so. Was the present committee under similar pressure, Watson was asked, and is there evidence of inappropriate links between committee members and News International?

Watson ducked the answer, saying it was something to ask other members of the Committee, who are now in the final stages of compiling a follow-up hacking report. But there are grounds for suspicion. For example, James Murdoch wrote to the committee last month to make the case that he should not be criticised. Natural enough, you might say, except that the letter reads like a response to the Committee – at a time when they had not yet asked him any further questions! Could he have known what they were pondering?

Here is a suggestion for the age of transparency over power and the media that was proclaimed by the Prime Minister when he told the Commons he would create the Leveson Inquiry and reveal his own dealings with media magnates. All the members of the Committee on Culture, Media and Sport should itemise their contacts with News International executives and representatives since, say, the general election.

Of course it can be proper for members of a committee dealing with the media to have contact with media organisations they are investigating. But given that this touches on the heart of power in Britain it is also proper that they should account to electors in full for those contacts.

Otherwise why should we not continue to believe that the pernicious conspiracy of permission and favours between the press and politicians, in particular the Murdochs and the governing party, is carrying on as before?


If you agree this is an important, public interest story please act now and join in and support openDemocracy, it's up to you to decide the amount. You'll get the short weekly email summary for supporters, and help spread the word. Thank you.

Re the title.

Very apt, since Murdoch is Australian it's Armageddon as in 'Armageddon outa here!'

(not my own, but I've always liked it).

tigger wrote:Re the title.

Very apt, since Murdoch is Australian it's Armageddon as in 'Armageddon outa here!'

(not my own, but I've always liked it).

Morning tigger....the one I like is the title of Tom Watson's book "Dial M for Murdoch"

Murdoch has tweeted that Britain should not have contributed the £10 billion to the IMF while at the same time taxing hot food. He says the U.S.
and Canada did not contribute .

The commentator said Murdoch should be careful what he says, he faces two days of questioning at the Leveson inquiry.

8:40am UK, Tuesday April 24, 2012

Katie Stallard, media and technology correspondent

James Murdoch will give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry into press standards later, followed by his father, Rupert Murdoch, on Wednesday.
The inquiry is moving into a new phase, focusing on the relationship between the press and politicians.

But both men can expect further questions about phone hacking at the now-defunct News Of The World (NOTW), as well as questions about their dealings with senior political figures.


James Murdoch: Certain Legal Fees Were Paid For Mulcaire
James Murdoch is only the second witness - after the information commissioner, Richard Thomas - to have a full day set aside for his testimony.

Two days have been scheduled for Rupert Murdoch's evidence later this week.

Both men will give evidence under oath in Court 73 of the Royal Courts of Justice, but are appearing as witnesses.

The Leveson Inquiry was established at the request of the Prime Minister after a series of allegations about phone hacking at the NOTW last summer, which led to the 168-year-old paper being closed down.

:: Read more from the Leveson Inquiry

The inquiry heard on Monday from the head of Sky News, John Ryley, who said managers at the channel had twice authorised the illegal interception of emails, but said it was "highly unlikely" anything similar would be sanctioned in the future.

Mr Ryley said the decision to allow emails to be accessed was made after detailed consideration and because management believed the stories involved - including one about John Darwin, who faked his own death in a canoeing accident - were in the public interest.

Both James Murdoch and Rupert Murdoch gave evidence to the Culture, Media and Sports Select Committee last July where they denied any knowledge of phone hacking and apologised sincerely to the victims.


James Murdoch's Resignations In 2012
:: GlaxoSmithKline
January 27

:: News International
February 29

:: Sotheby's
March 16

:: BSkyB
April 3



Rupert Murdoch declared it "the most humble day of my life".

The NOTW was the first British newspaper he bought, back in 1969, marking the beginning of more than four decades' involvement with the British press.

James Murdoch, who was chairman of News International (NI) when the hacking allegations surfaced, returned to the Select Committee in November to give further evidence.

He has since stepped down from his position at NI, as well as the chairmanship of BSkyB, but he remains a non-executive director of the broadcaster.

News Corporation dropped its bid to buy the 60.9% of BSkyB shares it does not already own in the wake of the allegations.

Ben Fenton, media writer at the Financial Times, told Sky News: "They will be asked about phone hacking and exactly what they knew, and when, and I wouldn't be surprised if they were asked directly about their answers to questions before the Culture, Media and Sports Select Committee last July."

When asked last year about meetings with British prime ministers during his career, Rupert Murdoch joked: "I wish they would leave me alone."

He told the committee he had visited David Cameron in the days after the 2010 general election, but had been asked to use the back door.


Rupert Murdoch's Statement To MPs In Full
He explained that it had been: "To avoid the photographers at the front, I imagine. I don't know. I was asked, I just did what I was told."

He continued: "I was invited within days to have a cup of tea and to be thanked by Mr Cameron for the support. No other conversation took place. It lasted minutes."

Mr Murdoch was said to be close to Margaret Thatcher, but not all politicians were so regarded.

In the run-up to the closely-fought general election of 1992, The Sun's front page declared: "If Neil Kinnock wins today will the last person to leave Britain please turn out the lights."

When John Major got in instead, the front page duly proclaimed: "It's The Sun wot won it!"

So when a youthful Tony Blair was elected leader of the Labour party in 1995, his first overseas trip was to Australia, to address the News Corp annual conference.

Ben Fenton explained: "Rupert Murdoch is the most important person, I believe, in the thought processes of British prime ministers over the last 20 to 30 years.

"Election experts will tell you that newspaper articles don't influence voting intentions, but as long as politicians think that they do, it doesn't matter whether they do or not."

So far this year Mr Cameron has already had to admit riding a retired police horse, which had been loaned to former NI chief executive Rebekah Brooks, whose racehorse-trainer husband is a close friend of Mr Cameron.

There will be plenty of powerful people listening anxiously over the next 48 hours to what James and Rupert Murdoch have to say.

James Murdoch just beginning testimony, looking very red and very uncomfortable , tidying his desk a lot.

An analyst has said James never had his Father's obsession about the press, he was a real ingenue and although he was Senior, Managers and
Editors had worked with his Father for years and knew far more than he did.

Interestingly, the analyst says Rupert Murdoch's criticism of the U.K. yesterday suggests he has washed his hands of the Government and he might
well spill the beans . His "association" with the British Government stretches back to Tony Blair and he has the Board and shareholders to consider.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/house_of_commons/newsid_8167000/8167512.stm - Cached


James Murdoch at Leveson inquiry live

Well, James is certainly not getting off lightly it's like the Spanish Inquisisition.

Cameron must be worried about what Rupert will say tomorrow.

24 April 2012 Last updated at 13:05 Share this pageEmail Print Share this page

397ShareFacebookTwitter.Leveson Inquiry: James Murdoch 'stands by' email testimony James Murdoch denied meeting David Camer
on
to find out where he stood
on
issues affecting News Corp Continue reading the main story
The Leveson InquiryJames Murdoch evidence Live
Q&A: The Leveson Inquiry
Profile: James Murdoch
Profile: Rupert Murdoch

James Murdoch "stands by" testimony he never saw an email revealing phone hacking went beyond a single reporter, the Leveson Inquiry has heard.

The ex-News International chairman said he had thought hacking a "thing in the past" when he took over his father's UK newspaper operations in 2007.

It remained his position that he did not know of the "For Neville" email until 2010, he told the inquiry.

He was also asked about meeting David Cameron during News Corp's BSkyB bid.

Mr Murdoch's father, News Corporation head Rupert Murdoch, will appear before the inquiry on Wednesday and Thursday.

It is the first time either of them have appeared in front of the Leveson Inquiry.

James Murdoch, who resigned from News International in February, having been appointed to run the company in 2007.

The inquiry is tackling the Murdochs' awareness of allegations that the practice of illegally intercepting voicemails went beyond News of the World royal reporter Clive Goodman, who was jailed in 2007.

He told Lord Justice Leveson he had a "general awareness that a reporter had illegally intercepted voicemails, had gone to jail along with the private investigator involved".

"It was a general understanding of an event in the past."

The inquiry questioned Mr Murdoch in detail over the "For Neville" email, which was sent by a junior News of the World reporter to private investigator Glenn Mulcaire in 2008, and contained the illegally obtained transcripts of voicemails belonging to football union boss Gordon Taylor.

In December, another email from 2008 was released indicating Mr Murdoch had been copied into messages referring to the "rife" practice of phone hacking at the News of the World and also citing the "For Neville" email.

Mr Murdoch has said although he was copied into the email, he did not read it fully.

Legal settlements

He told the inquiry: "I didn't read the email chain. It was a Saturday, I had just come back from Hong Kong, I was with my children. I responded in minutes."

He said he now accepts that the "For Neville" email was "a thread" that raised the suspicion of wider phone hacking at the News of the World.

"The fact it suggested other people might have been involved in phone hacking - that part of its importance was not imparted to me that day," he said.

The News of the World reached an out-of-court settlement with Gordon Taylor, head of the Professional Footballers' Association, in 2008.

James Murdoch said it was "reasonable" to leave the settlement negotiations to NoW legal manager Tom Crone and editor Colin Myler.

He said there was a "budget of a million and change for legal settlements at the News of the World".

He went on to say he was aware "in small detail" of a £1m settlement with PR guru Max Clifford in March 2010 as there was a commercial relationship with Mr Clifford which the newspaper wanted to "re-establish".

The Leveson Inquiry is now turning its attention to the relationship between the press and prominent politicians as part of its examination of the ethics, culture and practices of the UK's newspapers.

James Murdoch was questioned by counsel for the inquiry Robert Jay QC about his contact with politicians before and during News Corp's bid for the remaining shares in BSkyB - an attempt which was dropped in July 2011.

He said he was "alive to the risk" that politics might influence his company's position, but added: "We rested on the soundness of the legal case."

He told of a meeting with David Cameron, then Leader of the Opposition, on 10 September 2009 at the George club to discuss the "Sun's proposed endorsement" of the Conservatives for the upcoming general election.

Mr Murdoch also said he discussed the BSkyB bid with Mr Cameron at the home of former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks on 23 December 2010 - seven months after he became prime minister.

It was also two days after Business Secretary Vince Cable was stripped of his responsibility for overseeing the BSkyB bid after he was secretly recorded saying he had "declared war" on Rupert Murdoch.

Mr Murdoch said he spoke briefly to the prime minister about the removal of Mr Cable, saying it was a "tiny conversation" and not a discussion.

He denied the purpose of the meetings with Mr Cameron was partly to find out where he stood on issues which would directly affect Mr Murdoch's companies, such as TV and press regulation.

He said: "I might want to know but the purpose of these meetings wasn't necessarily to find out, they were discussions were on a broad range of subjects, from foreign policy to other things."

Asked whether he was friends with Chancellor George Osborne, he said: "We have been friendly. I wouldn't say he was a close friend."

He added he had had been to the chancellor's grace-and-favour home Dorneywood once and had had one discussion with Mr Osborne about the BSkyB bid.

The inquiry also considered emails by Frederic Michel, News Corp head of public affairs.

One referred to a call James Murdoch made to Vince Cable on the day of BSkyB bid, saying it went well and "we should have recorded him".

Another said that Mr Michel had a note from Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt's adviser, Adam Smith, that "the UK government would be supportive throughout the process".

How it all began



http://edition.cnn.com/video/?iid=article_sidebar#/video/world/2011/12/20/shubert-uk-phone-hacking.cnn

James Murdoch still denies he knew anything about phone hacking but the British Press will have a field day in tomorrw's edition. It is about a
Christmas Dinner in Rebekah's Home in 2010 where David Cameron was amongst the Guests where Cameron's chances of being elected PM werediscussed and the bid for the remainder of the bskyb shares was delayed until the Election result was known. James is also a Friend of George Osborne.It's all incestuous and expect fireworks tomorrow when Rupert is to be interviewed over two days.....rumour has it he was furious that Cameron called for an enquiry over the phone hacking .He will be interviewed over two days.

Mr Murdoch's appearance is likely to draw crowds at the Royal Courts of Justice
4:35am UK, Wednesday April 25, 2012

Rupert Murdoch will give evidence to the Leveson Inquiry later where he is expected to be questioned about his regular meetings with Britain's top politicians.
The 81-year-old's appearance comes after his son James' testimony on Tuesday led to calls for the resignation of Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

The press standards inquiry heard claims that Mr Hunt backed News Corporation's bid to take over BSkyB and leaked inside information to the media giant.

It follows the release of a 163-page dossier of emails detailing contacts between his office and senior News Corporation executive Frederic Michel.

:: Read all the emails here

Labour have called for the MP to step down but Mr Hunt said it was "not a time for kneejerk reactions".

He later wrote to Lord Justice Leveson asking if his appearance could be brought forward, promising in a statement that his evidence would show the public he had conducted the process "with scrupulous fairness".


Jeremy Hunt Asks For Leveson Appearance To Be Brought Forward
Rupert Murdoch, News Corp's chairman and chief executive, is expected to give evidence under oath over the next two days.

He will be asked about the phone hacking scandal, which led to the closure of the 168-year-old News Of The World (NOTW) last July after revelations that the paper listened to the voicemails of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

He will also be quizzed about his oversight of his UK newspapers, and whether he exerted undue influence over British public life through his papers and his regular meetings with prime ministers and other leading politicians.

The billionaire told the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee last July that he met David Cameron "within days" of the 2010 general election and was invited to Downing Street by Gordon Brown "many times".

:: Q&A - Why have the Murdochs been called to Leveson Inquiry?

Tony Blair is godfather to one of his children.

News Corp still owns The Sun, The Times and the Sunday Times, and has a 39% stake in satellite broadcaster BSkyB.

Today will be Mr Murdoch's most high profile public appearance since he gave evidence to MPs last year.

On that occasion he told MPs it was the "most humble day" of his life and apologised for the phone hacking scandal, but the session was disrupted when a protester pelted him with a foam pie.

Court 73 at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London is likely to be packed for Mr Murdoch's evidence sessions today and tomorrow.

News Corporation company used hacker site to attack ONdigital, says Panorama

Explosive allegations say Murdoch firm backed website that pirated codes

Share this episode Written ByRadio Times staff12:14 PM, 27 March 2012

A News Corporation company funded the expansion of a website that distributed pirated codes for ONdigital set-top boxes, it was alleged last night on BBC1's Panorama.

The claims, which have reignited the News Corp hacking scandal, centred around NDS, a manufacturer of smartcards used in digiboxes, and Thoic, a hacker's website.

The owner of Thoic, Lee Gibling, told Panorama that NDS – which makes smartcards for News Corporation's pay-TV companies globally, and is part-owned by News Corporation – had bankrolled the expansion of the site and encouraged him to distribute hacked codes for ONdigital boxes.

"They delivered the actual software to be able to do this, with prior instructions that it should go to the widest possible community," he said.

ONDigital, later rebranded as ITV Digital, was set up in 1998 as a rival to News Corporation's Sky. But it went bust in 2002, with the widespread distribution of pirated codes - used to make counterfeit viewing cards - a significant contributor to its failure. ITV Digital's former chief technical officer, Simon Dore, told Panorama that piracy was "the real killer, the hole beneath the water line… we couldn't recover".

NDS denied the allegations, saying Thoic was used merely in a consultative capacity, to acquire intelligence on hackers.

"It is simply not true that NDS used the Thoic website to sabotage the commercial interests of ONdigital/ITV digital or indeed any rival," the company said in a statement. "NDS paid Lee Gibling for his expertise so information from Thoic could be used to trap and catch hackers and pirates."

James Murdoch was a non-executive director of NDS when the hacking is alleged to have taken place, although the BBC said there was no evidence he knew about the events reported by Panorama.

But Tom Watson MP, a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, which has been investigating phone hacking by newspaper journalists, called for Ofcom to examine the new allegations as part of their assessment of whether Rupert and James Murdoch are "fit and proper" people to take full control of Sky.

"Allegations of TV hacking are far more serious than phone hacking," he said. "It seems inconceivable that [Ofcom] would not want to look at these new allegations… it also seems inconceivable to me if these allegations are true that Rupert Murdoch and James Murdoch will pass that test."

Rupert Murdoch testimony

http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/house_of_commons/newsid_8167000/8167512.stm

The concensus seems to be that Murdoch was much more at ease today than his appearance before the CCC a few months ago. He admits meeting with Margaret Thatcher and socialising with David Cameron but his relationship with Prime Ministers stretches back to Tony Blair .

The special advisor to Hunt has resigned but Hunt is considered to have acted properly in his dealings with Murdoch.

It is very unlikely that News International will be sold, they are very well run and the Management will change.

David Cameron visited Murdoch on his Yacht taking time out from his own Holiday in Italy, Today in Parliament he has come under fire from opposition
MP's but argued that all PM's at one time have been friendly with Murdoch.

Newscorp could take heart from today's hearing but the U.S. Foreigh Corrupt practices could take action.

Martin Hickman, co-Author with Tom Watson of Dial M for Murdoch says much of Murdoch's replies were "I don't know," " I can't remember" I didn't do it"

Mr Murdoch said the response to phone hacking allegations had been 'slow'
7:31am UK, Thursday April 26, 2012

Katie Stallard, media and technology correspondent

Rupert Murdoch will be questioned about the phone-hacking scandal at the News Of The World when he resumes his evidence to the Leveson Inquiry.
Mr Murdoch has previously said he was "shocked and appalled" by the allegations and was "determined to put things right".

He described his appearance before MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport select committee on the subject last year as "the most humble day of my life".

The News Of The World was the first British newspaper Mr Murdoch bought, in 1969.

It was closed down last July after reports that the murdered teenager Milly Dowler’s voicemail had been hacked.

Asked on Wednesday whether "abuses" in the media go further than the issue of phone hacking, Mr Murdoch replied: "Oh, they go further."

In his witness statement to the inquiry, the News Corporation founder and chairman said he first became aware of allegations of phone hacking at the paper after the arrest of its royal editor, Clive Goodman, in 2006, but that he had been told it was confined to a single, rogue reporter.

With hindsight, he said, the company's response to the allegations had been "slow and insufficient".

:: See all the latest news from the Leveson Inquiry.

Mr Murdoch's statement said: "I became aware that the position was wrong sometime in late December 2010 or January 2011, when evidence in the Sienna Miller case revealed that more than one reporter was apparently involved in the activity.

"I believe it was Rebekah Brooks who informed me of this.

"This was a source of great concern to me because it called into question an understanding that had governed NI's response to these matters for four years.

"As my son James said, it is to our great regret that the company's statements on this issue proved to be wrong and that in hindsight our response to these allegations in 2009-2010 was slow and insufficient."

Mr Murdoch said the company was attempting to "resolve genuine voicemail interception claims by settlement wherever possible" and had so far paid out approximately £14.5m in damages and legal costs.


At times the evidence from Rupert Murdoch - who has seen numerous politicians come and go - seemed more like a history lesson.

Analysis by Sophy Ridge, Sky News political correspondent
He said that, as of April 10 this year, 72 claims have been settled, 20 issued claims are outstanding, and 23 further claims had been accepted into the compensation scheme.

He added: "NGN [News Group Newspapers] has apologised, both publicly and privately, for the voicemail interception which took place at the News of the World and for the considerable hurt and distress which this has caused to those individuals affected."

Mr Murdoch is likely to face questions about corporate governance within News International, of which his son, James Murdoch, was chairman from 2007 until February this year.

His witness statement said News Corporation has now established a Management and Standards Committee (MSC) to take charge of phone hacking and related issues at News International.

He said: "I promised the select committee that I would clean up the phone-hacking problem at the News Of The World. The MSC has more than made good on my promise."

The media tycoon is the first witness to have two days set aside for his testimony to the Leveson Inquiry.

The 81-year-old gave evidence for four hours on his first day about his relationship with prime ministers past and present, and the perceived influence of his British newspapers, but he strongly denied ever asking for favourable treatment from politicians.

"In 10 years of his power I never asked Mr Blair for anything. Nor indeed did I receive any favours," he told the inquiry.

He made similar statements about Baroness Thatcher, for whom he expressed his "great admiration".

Mr Murdoch was asked about comments he is said to have made after his initial meetings with Mr Blair, such as this in 1995: "If our flirtation is ever consummated, Tony, then I suspect we will end up making love like porcupines: very, very carefully."

"Did you say that?" Robert Jay, QC for the inquiry, asked Mr Murdoch.

To much laughter from his wife, Wendi Deng, and his son Lachlan Murdoch, sitting in the front row of the witness area, the News Corp chairman replied: "I might have."


Rupert Murdoch: Gordon Brown Declared War
But Gordon Brown has denied "declaring war" on News Corporation, as Mr Murdoch claimed on his first day, when The Sun switched its support to David Cameron in 2009.

Mr Murdoch claimed Brown had called him on 30 September 2009 and said: "Well, your company has declared war on my government and we have no alternative but to make war on your company."

He denied that voices had been raised, and said he had responded: "I'm sorry about that, Gordon, thank you for calling, end of subject."

:: Q&A - Why have Murdochs been called to Leveson Inquiry?

He told the inquiry: "I don't think he was in a very balanced state of mind."

But Mr Brown responded that the claim was "wholly wrong" and demanded Mr Murdoch correct his account.

In a statement, the former prime minister said: "Mr Rupert Murdoch has today made a serious allegation that, in a telephone call when The Sun declared for the Conservative party, I told him I had declared war on his company.

"He is wholly wrong. As the Leveson inquiry heard, The Sun declared for the Conservatives on September 30, 2009.

"I did not phone Mr Murdoch or meet him, or write to him about his decision.

"I hope Mr Murdoch will have the good grace to correct his account."

London (CNN) -- Rupert Murdoch admitted Thursday there had been a "cover-up" of phone hacking at his flagship British tabloid newspaper and apologized for not paying more attention to a scandal that has convulsed his media empire and rocked the British political establishment.

And he said that he had shut down the best-selling News of the World out of "panic" in the face of public fury about the revelation that a murdered teenage girl had been a victim of phone hacking.

Murdoch, who owns the Sun and the Times in London, as well as controlling the Wall Street Journal, New York Post and Fox News, said his News Corp. had been a victim of the cover-up, not the perpetrator.

"Someone took charge of a cover-up, which we were victim to and I regret," he said at the Leveson Inquiry, an independent British probe prompted by charges of illegal eavesdropping by his newspaper.



Rupert Murdoch admits hacking cover-up

Hear what Rupert Murdoch told the inquiry

James Murdoch blames staff for failures He blamed "one or two very strong individuals" at the paper, but did not name them.

"I also have to say that I failed," he said of the fact that he did not pay enough attention to the problem of phone hacking. He then paused a long time before finally continuing: "And I am very sorry for it."

If he had known the depth of the problem in 2007, when a private investigator and a Murdoch journalist were sent to prison for phone hacking, he "would have torn the place apart and we wouldn't be here today. But that's hindsight," he said.

The hacking scandal has led to dozens of arrests, two parliamentary investigations and the Leveson Inquiry, a judge-led independent probe set up by the British government.

Murdoch suggested key parts of the scandal have been overblown.

"The hacking scandal was not a great national thing until the Milly Dowler disclosure, half of which has been somewhat disowned by the police," Murdoch said.

He was referring to the revelation that people working for him had hacked into the voice mail of a missing 13-year-old who later turned out to have been murdered.

The Guardian newspaper originally reported that the hackers had also deleted some of her voice mails, leading to false hopes that she was still alive and deleting them herself. In fact, the messages may have expired automatically.

Murdoch Thursday described the atmosphere when news of the Milly Dowler hacking became public in July 2011.

"You could feel the blast coming in the window. I can say it succinctly. I panicked. And I am sorry I did," he said of his decision to close the tabloid. He later said he should have closed it years earlier.

"This whole business is a serious blot on my reputation," he said.

Murdoch was also grilled over his media empire's back-channel lobbying of the British government, and said he learned of the existence of one of the key lobbyists only "a few months ago."

Murdoch said he was "surprised" at the extent of the contact by the employee, Fred Michel, with the British government as it considered a bid by News Corp. to take full ownership of British Sky Broadcasting.

That bid that collapsed because of the phone-hacking scandal.

"You call it lobbying, I call it seeking of information," Murdoch told the Leveson Inquiry. "I didn't see anything wrong with his activities. I was I surprised that it had gone on so long, that there were so many e-mails, yes."

A government aide quit Wednesday over the revelation of the extent of the contacts, and there have been calls for the resignation of Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who is named in the correspondence.

Murdoch spent hours Wednesday downplaying his political influence, even as British Prime Minister David Cameron said politicians had been too close to Murdoch over the years and the government aide, Adam Smith, resigned over communications between the culture ministry and News Corp.

Murdoch insisted Wednesday that he had "never asked a prime minister for anything" as he chronicled his personal relationships with prime ministers going back to Margaret Thatcher in the early 1980s.

The media baron also denied using the power of his press for personal gain.

At the same time, Cameron was saying politicians from across the political spectrum had been too close to Murdoch.

"I think we all, on both sides of this house, did a bit too much cozying up to Mr. Murdoch," he told the House of Commons as his government was battered over testimony Murdoch's son had given to the Leveson Inquiry the day before.

James Murdoch testified Tuesday that before Cameron became prime minister, he had met the politician over drinks at a pub and told him the company's Sun newspaper would support his Conservative party in the next election.

The younger Murdoch insisted that he knew little about the scale of phone hacking by people working for the News of the World, as he continued his fight to limit the damage the scandal does to him and his family's media empire.

The scandal has forced News Corp. to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation to the victims of phone hacking.

James and Rupert Murdoch have been hammered over the past year about what they knew about phone hacking by people working for them.

They have always denied knowing about the scale of the practice, which police say could have affected thousands of people, ranging from celebrities and politicians to crime victims and war veterans.

CNN's Dan Rivers, Erin McLaughlin, Elaine Ly and Claudia Rebaza contributed to this report.

8:50pm UK, Thursday April 26, 2012

Rupert Murdoch has told the Leveson Inquiry that there was a cover-up at the News Of The World to hide the scale of phone hacking.
The News Corporation boss said he and other senior executives were not informed, misinformed and "shielded" from what was going on at the paper, suggesting the cover-up was instigated by "one or two people" at the now-defunct tabloid.

He did not name the individuals concerned, but the News Of The World's former legal manager Tom Crone later said an unnamed lawyer referred to by Mr Murdoch could "only" refer to him, and said the claims were untrue.

In a statement, Mr Crone said: "(Rupert Murdoch's) assertion that I 'took charge of a cover-up' in relation to phone-hacking is a shameful lie.



Tom Crone has hit back saying Rupert Murdoch's 'attack' is 'wholly wrong'

"The same applies to his assertions that I misinformed senior executives about what was going on and that I forbade people from reporting to Rebekah Brooks or to James Murdoch.

"It is perhaps no coincidence that the two people he has identified in relation to his cover-up allegations are the same two people who pointed out that his son's evidence to the Parliamentary Select Committee last year was inaccurate.

"The fact that Mr Murdoch's attack on (former NOTW editor) Colin Myler and myself may have been personal as well as being wholly wrong greatly demeans him."

Mr Murdoch was appearing for his second day of evidence at the inquiry into media standards.


Rupert Murdoch: Gordon Brown Declared War
Mr Murdoch has previously said he was "shocked and appalled" by the allegations of phone hacking and was "determined to put things right".

Giving evidence on Thursday, he apologised for the failings of the Sunday tabloid and accepted the buck stopped with him.

The 81-year-old said he feels responsible for the hacking scandal at the newspaper, saying it was a "serious blot" on his reputation.

:: Q&A on Rupert Murdoch at the Leveson Inquiry

Mr Murdoch also said he wished he had stepped in earlier to shut the tabloid down.

Asked by counsel to the inquiry Robert Jay QC where the "cover-up" emanated from, Mr Murdoch replied: "I think from within the News Of The World.

"There were one or two very strong characters there who I think had been there many, many years and were friends of the journalists.

"The person I am thinking of was a friend of the journalists, drinking pal, and was a clever lawyer and forbade them... or there have been statements reporting that this person forbade people to go and report to Mrs (Rebekah) Brooks or James (Murdoch).

"That is not to excuse it on our behalf at all, I take it extremely seriously that that situation had arisen."



Mr Murdoch with a copy of the News Of The World in 1968

Mr Murdoch admitted he had not paid close enough attention to the tabloid and apologised for what happened, and to the staff who lost their jobs when he closed the newspaper.

"I have to admit that some newspapers are closer to my heart than others, but I also have to say that I failed. And I am very sorry about it."

However, he also said he wishes he had closed the NOTW "years ago" and replaced it with a Sunday edition of the Sun newspaper.

Later, he said the NOTW - which, in 1969, was the first British newspaper he bought - was "an aberration, and it's my fault".

The tabloid was closed down last July after reports that the murdered teenager Milly Dowler's voicemail had been hacked.

He said when this story surfaced, it could not be ignored, and closing the tabloid down had been a very quick decision.

"(The Dowler case) made people all over the country aware of this... You could feel the blast coming in the window almost.

"And I would say it succinctly, I panicked. But I am glad I did."


highlights of murdochs' committee evidence, July 19,2011
On Wednesday, Mr Murdoch described his relations with senior politicians - and sparked a row over whether Gordon Brown "declared war" on News International.

The former prime minister said the "serious allegation" was "wholly wrong", and called on Mr Murdoch to "correct his account" when he resumed giving evidence.

But at the start of proceedings on Thursday, Mr Murdoch told the inquiry: "As for the conversation, which he's denied, I said that very carefully under oath, and I stand by every word of it."

Away from the inquiry, the Culture, Media and Sport committee will finally publish its long-awaited report on phone hacking on May 1.

It was due many weeks ago and the delay reflects how MPs have struggled to come to an agreement.

:: See all the latest news from the Leveson Inquiry

:: Q&A - Why have Murdochs been called to Leveson Inquiry?

:: News Corp's Takeover Bid Emails Revealed


:: Below: Replay Sky News political correspondent Sophy Ridge's updates and analysis of Mr Murdoch's second day of evidence.

5:34pm UK, Saturday April 28, 2012

Peter Spencer, political correspondent

Embattled Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt is running perilously short of friends, with even Downing Street now saying it may investigate his behaviour.
A statement from Number 10 reiterates its line that Mr Hunt should be allowed to appear before the Leveson Inquiry into press standards first.

"It does not make sense to cut across a judicial inquiry with a parallel process that would risk pre-empting, duplicating or contradicting it," a spokesman said.

But, tellingly, he added: "Once Jeremy Hunt's evidence is made public and he is questioned, if there is anything that suggests there has been a breach of the code the Prime Minister would of course act."

:: Read more on the Leveson Inquiry here

That reference was to the rule-book for Government members, the so-called Ministerial Code, alleged breaches of which the Leveson Inquiry says it is not prepared to investigate.


For years the Lib Dems have brandished with pride their independence from Rupert Murdoch. Not for them the cosy dinner parties and sleep overs in Downing Street with members of the famous family.

Read Sophy Ridge's blog
Lord Justice Leveson's inquiry has also declined to bring forward the culture secretary's appearance to answer allegations his handling of the Murdoch bid to buy all of BSkyB.

His task, of arbitrating whether the deal should be allowed to go ahead, was compromised by his own special adviser being too close to a member of Rupert Murdoch's team.

The adviser, Adam Smith, went. And Mr Hunt's accusers say that, guilty by association, so shoud he.

He insists that all relevant communications between him and the now departed assistant will be given to Leveson. And that that documentation, combined with the testimony he will be giving under oath, will clear his name.



Jeremy Hunt, right, and his former adviser Adam Smith

But the Labour leader, Ed Miliband, told the Commons on Wednesday it "beggars belief" that the Prime Minister should try and defend him, and that he should instead sack him.

And he returned to the attack today, saying: "The longer the Prime Minister resists this the more people will conclude he has something to hide, that he is engaged in a cover-up."

In addition, the deputy Liberal Democrat leader, a senior Conservative MP, and the Westminster sleaze watchdog have all said Mr Hunt's case should be referred to the Prime Minister's independent adviser on ministerial conduct, Sir Alex Allan.

The entire affair is awkward for David Cameron, given the questions raised over his own judgement in hiring former News of the World Editor Andy Coulson as his chief spin doctor.

Mr Coulson left Number 10 after being caught up in the phone-hacking scandal that led to the closure of the Sunday tabloid and the setting up of the Leveson inquiry.

But there are also risks involved for Mr Miliband.

Demanding the dismissal of a minister is like throwing down the gauntlet and losing a duel can be very painful.

1:43pm UK, Sunday April 29, 2012

Ashish Joshi, Sky News correspondent

David Cameron has insisted there was no "grand deal" between himself and the Murdochs to wave through News Corporation's takeover of BSkyB.
The Prime Minister admitted that some of his contacts with Rupert Murdoch's media empire were embarrassing and that he might have done things differently.

But he maintained it was "not true" there was any agreement that in return for the Murdochs' support of the Government he would help their business interests or allow the BSkyB merger to go through.

Mr Cameron said Mr Murdoch had said the same thing under oath to the Leveson Inquiry, as had his son, James.

He said "there was no great mystery here".

Mr Cameron told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme that he had courted newspaper proprietors to "get his message across" but said about the BSkyB takeover bid: "There was no grand deal.

"It would be absolutely wrong for there to be any sort of deal and there wasn't. There was no grand deal."





(L-R) PM David Cameron and News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch


Mr Cameron said the email contact between beleaguered Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt's special adviser Adam Smith and News Corporation's lobbyist Frederic Michel was "wrong", "too close, too frequent and inappropriate".

But the PM also said he did not believe Mr Hunt broke the ministerial code.

Mr Cameron said: "This must be properly investigated. The ministerial code is my responsibility."

A 163-page dossier released by the Leveson Inquiry revealed scores of emails between News Corp and Mr Hunt's office at a time when the minister was in charge of a quasi-judicial process to decide if the bid for BSkyB, which runs Sky News, could go ahead.

Labour has called on Mr Hunt to resign amid allegations he acted as a 'cheerleader' for the bid.

Mr Hunt has insisted he acted with "scrupulous fairness" and said his actions were not influenced in any way by contact between his office and News Corp.

:: Read more on the Leveson Inquiry here.

The PM said he would take advice from his independent adviser Sir Alex Allen on any breaches of the ministerial code but this was dependant on what was said by Mr Hunt at the Leveson Inquiry when the culture secretary appears before it next month.



Jeremy Hunt has been accused of acting as a 'cheerleader' for News Corp's BSkyB bid

Asked if he would ask Sir Alex to hold a separate inquiry if the Leveson Inquiry did not get to the bottom of issues around the BSkyB takeover bid, Mr Cameron said he would.

But he added he could not think of a better way of doing that than through "a judge and evidence under oath".

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls told Sky News' Murnaghan programme: "Jeremy Hunt clearly misled Parliament on information. He was clearly a party to this bid when he should have been objective.

"The code says the prime minister will refer this - it should go to Alex Allen. It should be investigated now.

"The prime minister is trying to push it into Leveson because he is afraid of the scrutiny of that investigation, and because he knows the allegation of side deals with News International is about Jeremy Hunt and the prime minister himself."

He added: "The prime minister should take some responsibility for his Cabinet. I'm afraid Jeremy Hunt's position is untenable."

News Corp, which owns 39% of BSkyB, withdrew its bid for the broadcaster last July in the wake of revelations about phone-hacking.

Murdoch ‘Back Scratching’ Shifts Blame to U.K. Politicians

By Amy Thomson, Erik Larson and Robert Hutton - Apr 27, 2012 3:28 PM GMT+0100
.


..
As regulators expand a probe into whether News Corp. (NWSA) should retain its stake in British Sky Broadcasting Group (BSY) Plc, Rupert Murdoch’s testimony in a media- ethics inquiry turned public attention to the amount of time U.K. lawmakers have spent with the 81-year-old mogul, including trips on private planes and a family yacht in Greece.

Murdoch, the chairman of News Corp., and his son James spent three days in front of the U.K. panel this week blaming their ignorance of corruption at company newspapers on police, lawyers and subordinates. Police investigations of News Corp. journalists have resulted in about 45 arrests in the scandal, which spurred the inquiry by Judge Brian Leveson into relationships between News Corp. employees and politicians.



















Rupert Murdoch, chief executive officer of News Corp., right, Wendi Deng, his wife, centre, and Lachlan Murdoch, a board member of News Corp., left, are driven by car from their apartment in London. Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg
.
Evidence released by the ethics inquiry showed the Murdochs had dozens of meetings with the most powerful lawmakers in the U.K. As a result, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt is facing calls from the opposition Labour party to resign after e-mails showed one of his aides offered inside information on Hunt’s views to a News Corp. lobbyist when the company was offering 7.8 billion pounds ($12.6 billion) for the 61 percent of BSkyB it didn’t already own.

“Going into an attacking mode rather than being in a defensive mode was clearly very well planned,” Ajay Bhalla, a professor at London’s Cass Business School, said of the Murdoch strategy. “The focus now has shifted more to other levels, whether it is Jeremy Hunt or David Cameron or Gordon Brown, and the public is likely to” hold News Corp. less accountable.

‘Huge Power’

Murdoch testified he has never sought political favors or asked a prime minister for anything in exchange for support in the press. Tom Watson, a member of the parliamentary committee investigating phone hacking, said he thinks all British lawmakers know Murdoch wields “huge power.”

“U.K. lawmakers are in no doubt where Rupert Murdoch’s commercial and political interests lie,” Watson said. “With control of 40 percent of Britain’s newspapers, he is the ultimate floating voter and prime ministers know this.”

Prime Minister Cameron, who called for the review of media ethics in July, met with Rupert Murdoch six times since he became U.K. leader and on 15 occasions between 2006 and January 2010, when he was leader of the then-opposition Conservatives. On the way to a holiday in Turkey before he became prime minister, Cameron flew on Rupert’s son-in-law’s plane and stopped off in Santorini, Greece, to meet with the elder Murdoch on a yacht, the executive said yesterday, though he couldn’t recall if it was his yacht or his daughter’s.

Blair, Miliband

Tony Blair met with the media mogul more than 30 times when he was prime minister, according to the evidence released yesterday. Ed Miliband, head of the Labour party, went to the company’s summer party in June, about a month before New York- based News Corp. shut down its News of the World tabloid when reporters were accused of hacking into a murdered teenager’s voice mails for stories.

“That’s all part of the democratic process,” Rupert Murdoch said April 25. “Politicians of all sides like to have their views known by the editors of newspapers or publishers, hoping that they will be put across, hoping that they will succeed in impressing people. That’s the game.”

Murdoch also said that he doesn’t promote commercial interests with his newspapers.

Parliament’s report on phone-hacking is scheduled to be published next week and may conclude the Murdochs are implausible witnesses after James Murdoch’s testimony was challenged by other company executives. Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service is also considering whether to bring the first new criminal charges in the case.

Police Bribes

News Corp. rose 1.8 percent yesterday in New York trading. They rose 2 cents to $19.63 at 10:23 a.m. today. Miranda Higham, a spokeswoman for News Corp., declined to comment.

The inquiry led byLeveson is investigating the state of media ethics after reporters were found to have paid off police and public officials and intercepted voice mails and e-mails for stories. News Corp.’s newspapers became the center of the political upheaval after the 168-year-old tabloid News of the World was closed.

James Murdoch, News Corp.’s deputy chief operating officer, and his father both denied ever using political endorsements or positive coverage in the company’s titles to smooth the way for deals or gain favorable regulation. Rupert Murdoch said this week he didn’t know very many politicians.

“It’s a common thing in life, which goes way beyond journalism, to say ‘you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours,’” he told the inquiry in London yesterday.

‘Scratch My Back’

However, when asked if that extended to his relationships with officials, he answered, “I don’t ask any politician to scratch my back.”

The Murdochs have said hacking was allowed to continue under their noses for years because they relied on employees, lawyers and police investigations that were faulty.

To help quell public outrage over phone hacking, Rebekah Brooks, head of the U.K. publishing unit News International, and Les Hinton, head of the Dow Jones (IYR) & Co. unit, stepped down over their involvement in the scandal. Brooks is among those arrested in the police probes. News Corp. also created the Management & Standards Committee to assist police inquiries.

Murdoch said he was “greatly distressed that people who’ve been with me 20, 30 years, fine, great journalists, friends of mine” had been arrested, before going on to say he was “glad” his company had handed over evidence about their actions to the police.

Coulson, Mulcaire

Rupert Murdoch also blamed the Metropolitan police for not informing the company that hacking was more extensive than first believed. A 2006 e-mail from the paper’s lawyer Tom Crone to its editor Andy Coulson said that Brooks was told by police there were more than 100 victims of phone hacking, and suggested that the private detective who hacked phones, Glenn Mulcaire, had “sequences of contacts” with the paper before and after his hacking attempts.

The risk for the company now may be that Leveson concludes that News Corp. has become too influential and shouldn’t be allowed to expand, according to media analyst Claire Enders. That could threaten plans to renew its takeover bid for BSkyB, which it abandoned last year, she said in a note.

“We don’t expect either Rupert or James Murdoch to come out of this process with any significant diminution in their standing,” Enders said in a note. “However, there remains a very substantial risk that one of Lord Leveson’s conclusions is that the scale of News Corp.’s operations in the U.K. should never be allowed to increase.”

Another threat may be British regulator Ofcom’s investigation of whether News Corp. is fit to hold its BSkyB stake. The regulator expanded its investigation to gather evidence about civil cases involving phone hacking.

:

London (CNN) -- Few could accuse Rupert Murdoch of losing his sense of perspective. Amid the threats posed to his global media business interests by the phone-hacking scandal, the media mogul retains an almost childlike fascination for the weather and nature.

And while the Australian-born Murdoch's newspapers stand accused of illegal activities, and a general debasement of society's moral values, the thoughts of the world's 24th most powerful person often seem to be on family: his centenarian mother, his wife, the formidable Wendi Deng, six children and the perils of stray dogs.

We know all these endearing qualities, which shed light on a man who has never previously gone out of his way to humanize his uncompromising image, thanks to a Twitter feed that makes for compelling reading. "Lucky with six great kids and wonderful, busy wife," he wrote in January for example.

Since December 31 of last year, more than 220,000 users have signed up to follow Murdoch's tweets, the forthright style -- and typing errors -- of which indicate that all 232 of them were typed by the News Corp CEO himself, rather than a PR minion.



Rupert Murdoch on inquiry hot seat

'Murdoch's operating as a shadow state'

Murdoch blames his staff for failures In his evidence to the Leveson Inquiry into journalistic ethics on Wednesday, he dismissed the posts jokingly. "Don't take the tweets too seriously," he said. But what have we learned in the past four months about the octogenarian tycoon once famously described by CNN's founder Ted Turner as "the most dangerous man in the world?"


1. He hates wind farms

Days before his much-anticipated appearance, he tweets: "English spring countryside as beautiful as ever if and when sun appears! About to be wrecked by uneconomic ugly bird killing windmills. Mad."

He goes on: "They DO kill birds, by the thousand. No need for coal. Develop shale gas, much cleaner and cheaper and huge reserves."

And despite his billions, sometimes it's the small things that make Murdoch happy: "Miracles do happen! Sun shining in London."

2) Murdoch loves movies -- especially his own

and art, even modern stuff. "What a great thing David Hockney donating fabulous painting to the Tate. Truly beautiful and worth a fortune alone."

"Saw Fox film Descendants. Thank God, one to be proud of. Star Geo Clooney deserves Oscar, maybe film too," he wrote on New Year's Eve.

The following day he is raving about another: "I LOVE the film "we bought a zoo", a great family movie. Very proud of fox team who made this great film."

And in April he writes: "Must see great biopic, The Lady, biopic of Aung San suu kyi, the famous Burmese activist."

A fortnight later he moves on to another related subject close to his heart. "Piracy leader is Google who streams movies free, sells advts around them. No wonder pouring millions into lobbying."

3) Despite his Aussie hard-man image, Murdoch is interested in social welfare projects

"Just attended Harlem Village Academy's board ( HVA), inspiring schools in toughest neighbourhood. 700 kids growing to 2000."

The subject continues to crop up: "@Zindiq of course not, but best hand up is great free education. Come to Harlem and see charter schools and sub-poverty kids shining."

Lucky with six great kids and wonderful, busy wife

Rupert MurdochAnd warming to his theme of concern for the have-nots, he tweets: "Exceptalism or decline. That is the choice. Maybe too late but can we gather forces to return social cohesion? Close the divide."

4) He's turned against the UK Conservatives

Weeks later he is back onto more familiar territory: putting the boot into his enemies and rivals. Two years after backing the Conservatives in Britain, Murdoch now rails against the government that turned against him over phone-hacking.

He even seems to be flirting with the Labour opposition. "Britain strange. Month ago Cameron anti-business every chance, now equally pro-business. On the road to [opposition leader] Ed Milliband!"

And days after a scoop by one of his papers about a Conservative party adviser allegedly selling access to senior ministers, he twists the knife. "Great Sunday Times scoop. What was Cameron thinking? No-one, rightly or wrongly, will believe his story."

His feelings of being an outsider -- remarked on by many biographers over the years -- are never far away. "Enemies many different agendas, but worst old toffs and right wingers who still want last century's status quo with their monoplies."

He responds with thinly veiled threats: "Seems every competitor and enemy piling on with lies and libels. So bad, easy to hit back hard, which preparing."

"Back in Britain. Govt sending IMF another ten bn to he euro. Must be mad. Not even US or China chipping in. Same time taxing hot food."

The tweets prompt former Murdoch newspaper Andrew Neil to predict "Murdoch Snr will be in 'slash and burn' mood at #Leveson"

But he added: "Bad news: Rupert Murdoch's lawyers urging him to be conciliatory before #leveson. Let's hope they don't defang him too much!"

5) He's not great at picking the Republican nominee

In Britain, Murdoch is renowned for his political acumen in consistently backing winners. But in the United States, Murdoch has failed to pick the winner of the race to be Republican presidential nominee.

On New Year's Eve, he is backing Ron Paul. "Great oped inWSJ today on Ron Paul. Huge appeal of libertarian message."

Days on he turns his attention to another candidate: "Can't resist this tweet, but all Iowans think about Rick Santorum. Only candidate with genuine big vision for country."

A few weeks later, he asks: "When will Romney get a manager to prepare him? Fancy not being ready for questions about taxes or felons! Damaging."

A month later Gingrich is in favour: "Can't blame Newt G too much. He was carpet bombed with negatives by Romney. Brilliant, visionary but just too much baggage! And erratic."

"Santorum"Romney looks like well oiled weather vane". Plenty of company, but not POTUS."

English spring countryside as beautiful as ever if and when sun appears! About to be wrecked by uneconomic ugly bird killing windmills. Mad

Rupert MurdochBut by April, as it appears that Mitt Romney has wrapped up the race, Murdoch is facing up to the inevitable. "No bias for Romney, but with friend Santorum out better be realistic. Hope he takes good vp."

6) He really, really likes nature

Which ever country Murdoch happens to wake up in, his mood is always lifted by the weather: "NY Central Park never looked so beautiful.Full spring blooms everywhere. Enjoying walks. City Hall and volunteers should be congratulated."

"Big reversal. NY weather beautiful and almost warn. Non sign of snow yet."

Days later he's in London: "Miracles do happen! Sun shining in London."

7) Champions America, down on Europe

A familiar theme for many readers of his newspapers is Europe. In his tweets Murdoch seems to revel in the problems facing the 27-nation bloc.

"American economy looking better. At least short term. Meanwhile Europe looks slow motion train wreck. Hope I'm wrong."

"Don't hate Britain, quite the reverse. But whole of Europe and US facing huge financial and social problems."

"From distance, Santorum doing great. Values really do count in America, and not sneered at as in parts of Europe. Win Michigan game over."

There seems to be in Murdoch's view, only one man up to the fight. "What did I give? Years of argument against the euro."

8) Despite all its woes, he still loves UK tabloid The Sun

Murdoch's beloved Sun is never far from his thoughts -- despite the arrests of several journalists over alleged illegal payments to police officers -- especially if stories about it are untrue. Early in the year Murdoch dismisses reports that he is planning a Sunday edition of the tabloid. "F.T. Financial Times or Fawlty Towers? Sun on Sunday story today 100 per cent wrong."

A month later, News International announces the launch of The Sun on Sunday. The news prompts almost boyish excitement from the boss. "London Sun. Great staff tired but excited for Sunday edition. Yougov poll shows 90pc awareness already. Big announcements start tomorrow."

After the launch, Murdoch boasts about sales figures: "Amazing! The Sun confirmed sale of 3.260,000 copies yesterday. Thanks all readers and advertisers. Sorry if sold out - more next time."

9) He's picky on who he follows

Seems every competitor and enemy piling on with lies and libels. So bad, easy to hit back hard, which preparing

Rupert MurdochMurdoch may have nearly a quarter of a million Twitter users regularly reading his posts, but he is only following 21 feeds. "Achtung Angela! I'm now following you on@WSJDeutschland. Check it out at www./wsj.de. Best German website."

The list of those he is following is an eclectic mix, ranging from The Sun, The Times, Wall Street Journal and New York Post newspapers to actors Steve Martin and Jim Carrey. Innovators such as Bill Gates and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey also feature, along with CNN's own Mohammed Jamjoom.

It is unclear whom he is referring to when he rails against profanities on Twitter: "Please keep tweeting. I read all but how about cleaning up language? Incidentally most credit me with non- existent power and money."

"Why can't we have sensible tweets. You're mainly just crazy and fun to read. No loss of sleep here."

And he strikes a humble note about his own abilities: "Re complaints about my spelling! Problem is my pathetic typing. Sorry, if anyone really cares."

10) He's a real family man

At the end of a hard day, Murdoch is just a dad to his six children by his three wives. On New Year's Eve, he gives us this extraordinary vision: "Great time in sea with young daughters, uboating." He fails to elaborate on what this involves.

Days into the new year, like many a weary parent, his children are pressing him to get a pet. "Just visited ASPCA. Young daughters looking for another dog to adopt! Help!"

Two weeks later, after a business meeting, he is eager to return to the nest. "In Zurich with the big chiefs of soccer. Amazing organization with power over most of the world's football. Now back to family and work."

And perhaps in a statement to those who imagine the 81-year-old might be be considering retirement, Murdoch reminds them his centenarian mother is still going strong. "Thanks to all who sent congrats on mother's 103 rd bray. Long way to go,I hope!"

Breaking News on Hacking Report :-

Lawmakers "astonished that James Murdoch did not know what was going on.

Richard Murdoch is deemed not fit to run a major Company.

News. Intl Executives misled rhe Inquiry Lawmakers say.


WOW what will the U.S. make of this.!!!!!!!

It appears this Report is not binding and that Labour and Lib Dems agreed with it but the Conservatives, naturally , did not.

Ofcom will look into the BskyB aspect and shareholders may want their say.

Tom Watson said Murdoch had brought shame on British business, Politics and Parliament.

Much depends on the share price.