'My column at the News of the World' blog discussion

Former_MSE_Lee

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's "My column at the News of the World" Blog.

Please click 'post reply' to discuss below.

oakhouse13

If you are writing as a journalist ina newspaper surely you don't advertise this business anyway?

raven_r

MSE_Lee wrote: »

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's "My column at the News of the World" Blog.

Please click 'post reply' to discuss below.

I think you should have nothing further to do with the NOTW. This is a chance to rid UK journalism of the stranglehold of Murdoch's media. Stand up and be counted. Your voice will count and your integrity will be further enhanced. If you stay you will be sullied by the sleaze.

hellenjc

This sprang to mind as I was reading your blog..

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the communists
and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me -
and by then there was no one left to speak out for me.

The German anti-Nazi activist,
Pastor Martin Niemöller


This maybe unjust of me Martin because I think you do wonderful work ( and I hear what you say about reaching people) but I have always abhorred tabloid journalism.... so I'm surprised you have ever worked for them.. I'm voting with head and heart on this one as I don't see evidence in the paper ( which I looked through at the weekend) that they are any less scurriless than they always have been.

Torry_Quine

I was surprised that you had anything to do with this publication anyway but definitely think that with the latest revelations it is time for you to cut all connections.

raven_r

As someone posted on your FB page - Ford and other advertisers are worrying about their 'brand' being tarnished by association and have (at least temporarily) voted with their feet. In just the same way the MSE 'brand' could be irreparably tarnished if you keep taking their shilling...

maybird_2

These tabloids exist - and write - the way they do because people buy them. Appealing to the lowest common denominator tends to make millions. Doing the right thing...seldom makes anybody rich.

People get the journalism they deserve because they choose to buy it. If you object - stop buying it. (My prediction - circulation will drop then they'll all be back within days/weeks)

Money is the only language newspapers understand and is certainly the only rule Rupert Murdoch has ever lived by. If you contribute financially to these businesses (by buying the product or increasing product sales with your articles)then you are complicit in their activities.

I don't buy tabloid newspapers and therefore my conscience is clear - or is it? I have Sky TV and it's quite likely some of my pensions, investments and savings are tied up in all sorts of companies whose ethics are questionable and whose values I abhor.

It's a tricky one in the modern world Martin. You do have to follow your own conscience. Yes the typical NOTW reader is quite likely to be the kind of person most in dire need of your good sense financial advice - so perhaps you're right and pragmatism should trump the moral highground (which is often a very lonely place these days). Personally I wouldn't have that direct relationship with them because they make me feel sick. But then I wouldn't have begun that relationship in the first place.

Buy yourself a longer spoon next time.

joyce63

I'd never believe anything anyone at the News of the World told you. Lying seems to be the only thing they do. And you ARE guilty by association. Rebekah Brookes, editor at the time of the scandal, is clinging on to power at New International, the parent company, with backing from Rupert Murdoch - they are your ultimate bosses. Does that really make you feel good? Maybe the hacking happened before you joined the paper but that doesn't change anything in my opinion. The fact is it almost certainly did happen. Why would you want to be associated with a paper which hacked murder victims and their families phones? I urge you to reconsider your position and understand just how angry the general public are on this issue.

loracan1

... the voicemail issue with Milly Dowler, the most recent punch in the whole nasty episode of hacking that went on at the News of the World. It is of course a long way from my own journalism, was long before I joined the paper in 2008 ...


Let me be straight from the start, if these things were happening right now – as opposed to back in 2002 – and the paper was arguing it’s done nothing wrong I would’ve stopped my column already.

Do you really believe these things only happened in 2002? That they stopped before you joined in 2008? This is going to get a lot worse before it gets better and anyone associated with the paper is going to get dirtied with their mire...

robt_2

Of course you won't stop writing for them - they pay you a fee right? Money before morals for Martin.

I'm surprised to hear you are so gullible as to believe what the editor tells you. Did you expect him to say 'we are still behaving badly'?

Errata

Look to your conscience. There's no wriggle room in this horrific tragedy, and you have no way of knowing if it was still continuing long past the dates you give.