Wiretapping scandal: Investigations extend to newspapers of other publishers

The police had already requested a report some time ago on investigations into the use of private investigators by British newspapers from 2006, the office of the British Data Protection Commissioner explained on Thursday. According to the report, the Daily Mail topped the list with 952 requests to private investigators, while the News of the World was in fifth place with 228 requests. The corresponding investigation was reported to the police
handed over three months ago.

Liberal Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, meanwhile, called for the scandal surrounding the now-defunct News of the World to be used to shed light on the "shady relationships" between politics and the media. "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to properly expose the murky practices and shady relationships that have taken root at the heart of the British system between the press, politics and the police," Clegg said in London on Thursday.

Clegg defends Cameron

At the same time, Clegg defended his coalition partner and head of government David Cameron, saying he had "categorically" assured him that there had been no "inappropriate discussions" about the takeover bid by Murdoch for pay-TV broadcaster BSkyB.

Cameron made a statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday regarding the accusations that he had not maintained the necessary distance from Murdoch. In particular, he is accused of having employed the former editor-in-chief of the News of the World, Andy Coulson, as press spokesman, even though he was suspected of having commissioned the wiretapping. On Tuesday, Murdoch and his son James had to answer questions before a British parliamentary committee. The 80-year-old Rupert Murdoch denied any personal responsibility.

Australia tightens laws

Following the wiretapping scandal in the UK, Australia, the home country of Rupert Murdoch, is tightening its legislation to protect privacy. The scandal surrounding Murdoch's News of the World newspaper makes action necessary. So far, there is no general law in Australia that protects privacy, explained Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor on Thursday. This means that no one is legally protected if they want to take legal action against a breach of their privacy. In future, it should be possible to hold the media accountable in court in such cases. The government believes in both the principle of freedom of expression and the right to privacy. The technical achievements of the modern world made new communication channels possible, but also posed new challenges for the protection of privacy. The left-wing government, of which O'Connor is a member, is currently at loggerheads with some of the Murdoch Group's publications. (SDA)