Summary:
Rupert Murdoch told the Leveson Inquiry into media ethics, that he
and his senior executives were misinformed and insisted that the phone-hacking
cover up at the News of the World was kept hidden from him. He also claimed
that a company lawyer forbade staff to report phone hacking and that the editor
had failed to report back. He regretted
the scandal as it will affect his reputation for the rest of his life. Mr
Murdoch urged not to over-regulate the press for by doing it it would disable
press. In his belief, both newspapers’ quality and mistakes avail society.
Commentary:
Over-regulation of the press my
indeed result in an unhealthy situation where the media cannot fulfil its
function of reporting freely. However, crossing the boundaries of ethics and
legislation is another mater altogether. Mr Murdock’s claim, that he was
misinformed, holds no ground for as a head of the company he should be
accountable for its actions. A clear set of legislation rules that can be
maintained and overseen, could help to improve the overall quality of the media. Economic
profit and entertainment should always be secondary to morals and ethics. Alas, that
is easier said than done.
The information was retrieved on April 26th 2012 from the BBC news website
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17850093 article 'Leveson Inquiry: Murdoch admits missing hacking 'cover-up '
Summary:
According to
the annual Sunday Times Rich List, the UK’s richest people have become even
richer over the past year despite the recession. Their
joint wealth has set a new record, that passed the highest level before the
financial crash. To make it to the list, you need to have at least £ 72
million. The Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal and his family top the list
despite fortune loss duo to drops in their steel business shares. Arsenal
shareholder Alisher Usmanov comes second. Third ranks Chelsea owner and oil baron Roman
Abramovich. Several leading British entrepreneurs and some performers and
artists too have improved their fortunes.
Commentary:
I find it striking that seven names out of the top ten list
are foreign. I also wonder where they have made their fortune, in the UK of
mostly elsewhere. Many rich people happen to choose to live in the United States, because of the lower taxes. Does the UK attract the very rich people, who do
not mind paying higher taxes for the privilege of living in the UK? Win or lose a few million, the very rich stay
rich even during a recession and can even manage to increase their fortune.
Luckily for us ordinary people, there are some things are not directly related to financial fortune. You
cannot buy true love or health, or can you?
The information was retrieved on April 28th 2012
from the article ‘Sunday Times Rich List suggests UK’s wealthiest defy
recession’ from the BBC news website http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17883101
Summary:
According to Charlie Cooper’s article “Look back in hunger:
Britain’s silent, scandalous epidemic” as published on the website of the
Independent on the 4th of April 2012, evidence is mounting
that thousands of children in the UK are not getting enough food to eat. As
financial hardship spreads, their numbers are increasing rapidly. He calls
these hungry children the victims of a “silent epidemic” of malnutrition in the
capital and beyond. Many agency’s and organization that provide help are short
of funding and see a more widespread problem than before. Kids Company is launching its
"Plate Pledge" to help tackle food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition among children.
Commentary:
Who are these hungry children? Many hungry children are from families
whose parents are not eligible to work or claim benefits. There are also children from working parents who
are struggling to make ends meet. It seems a bloody disgrace that there can be malnourished children in
this rich country. After reading the article, I searched the Internet and found out that according to the Trussell Trust website, there are 13
million people in the UK who live below the poverty line. Isn't this really shocking and disturbing? Apparently, nowadays hunger is not just a third world problem.
