Murdoch crisis: political fallout

This article first appeared in PR Week on 15 July.

Now that the News of the World is no more, what's the longer-term political fallout?

First, public trust in the establishment has taken another hammering. Already disillusioned with MPs and the banks, the public is now questioning the integrity of not only the media but the police as well. About the only pillar of the establishment that hasn't lost trust over the past couple of years is the Royal Family.

Second, David Cameron is now facing the most difficult phase of his premiership so far. His judgement is being questioned and he's been running to catch up with the agenda instead of setting it. Hugh Grant has done a better job of articulating the public's outrage. The PM needs to regain his grip, and quickly.

Third, Jeremy Hunt's in-tray suddenly looks very different. News International's full acquisition of BSkyB, a near-certainty last month, is now hard to imagine.

The Press Complaints Commission's days are numbered - despite protestations to the contrary from chairman Sir Christopher Meyer - and the long-term decline of the print media has just accelerated.

Ed Miliband, meanwhile, has been gifted a major opportunity to assert himself and his leadership. Ridiculed only a fortnight ago for that 'loop' interview, Miliband now looks more like a contender. But his strategy is not without risk: he will now incur the additional wrath of the Murdoch press, and he will need to ensure that his own press team is squeaky clean.

Finally, Vince Cable must be reflecting on his 'declaration of war' on Murdoch last year. Although more people will now agree with him, he needn't have bothered. Murdoch's own goal has achieved more than Cable ever could. Indeed, had Cable kept his counsel he could now be presiding over the withdrawal of News Corporation's bid.

Comments

[Charon Matthew]

Very well put Dermot. I'm also very interested in the impact on the US media and the fallout there. Care to comment on that situation as well?
Cheers
Charon Matthew (nee Wood)
www.snackadvisor.com

[Dermot Finch]

Thanks Charon.

The impact in the US isn't clear yet, but the financial impact is quite stark already. Since the start of July, News Corporation's share price has fallen from $18.50 to $16.

If the US Dept of Justice triggers an investigation into News Corp, then things will get worse for Murdoch. And if there's any evidence of any 9/11 hacking, then it's meltdown time - but none of that has been officially confirmed yet.

US politicians are either steering clear, or urging caution - for now.