The story is well known, (or the background is here and here). As it continues, Murdoch was called to testify before the parliamentary commission investigating the story.
While the event was interesting to those who follow the story, the actual day of testimony is sometimes lackluster. And that’s what many witnesses want. Joking, convivial, “little old me? I’m flattered, but I think you exaggerate my influence sir.” Or something like that.
He did say a few things of note that were focused on damping rather than increasing the fires:
- “The buck stops with me.” He did take responsibility, and acknowledge he was guilty of not keeping a close watch on things at News Corp.
- They’ve gone through millions of emails, are handing over material to police, and that material has caused much “distress” to some long-time colleagues.
- He shut down the “news of the World” out of a sense of panic, he said.
- The current company is a “new company” with “new rules” and “new compliance officers”
Definitely a big change from the first round.
It sometimes pays to be more contrite in front of parliamentary commissions and public inquiries. Putting aside spin, packaging, and message, sometimes the tone is as important in not throwing more gasoline on the fire and enraging commission members.
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> More Riskbit stories about this topic can be found here and here