Unhealthy Relationships

Not so surprising news in the records released this week detailed meetings between government ministers and News International executives. The defence Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, apparently gave Rupert and James Murdoch confidential briefings on Afghanistan.

  Eyebrows and questions have to be raised about how appropriate it is for Dr Fox to give private briefings on the subject of defence to newspaper owners.  Virtually every publication in Murdoch's international media empire threw their support behind the 2003 Iraq war. And thanks to a Freedom Of Information request , we are now aware that Tony Blair had 3 conversations with Rupert Murdoch in the month leading to the invasion.

This is just the tip of the iceberg at the level of access the press baron enjoy in our political system. It's unhealthy and the idea of reform in the tabloid press is surely the medicine that society needs to swallow.