Five million goodbyes as paper bows out with apology

Published on Sunday 10 July 2011 18:16

The News of the World bade farewell to its readers after 168 years with the simple words "Thank you & goodbye".

The 8,674th edition of the tabloid featured the headline emblazoned over images of its most famous front pages.

A second headline read: "After 168 years, we finally say a sad but very proud farewell to our 7.5m loyal readers."

And in the top right corner were the words: "The world's greatest newspaper 1843-2011."

The closing issue featured much celebration of the best scoops and greatest campaigns that have helped the newspaper make its mark over the years.

But there was also an apology for the phone hacking scandal that eventually brought the paper to its knees.

The statement, printed on page three, read: "We praised high standards, we demanded high standards but, as we are now only too painfully aware, for a period of a few years up to 2006 some who worked for us, or in our name, fell shamefully short of those standards.

"Quite simply, we lost our way. Phones were hacked, and for that this newspaper is truly sorry."

Although it claims there is no justification for the "appalling wrongdoing", it goes on to say: "Yet when this outrage has been atoned, we hope history will eventually judge us on all our years."

Inside the paper was a 48-page souvenir pull-out featuring some of the tabloid's most memorable splashes, such as last year's expos of alleged match-fixing involving Pakistan international cricketers.

Front-page revelations of celebrities' affairs are featured alongside historic events, such as the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997, recorded in a "shock 8am issue".

Elsewhere in the paper, investigations editor Mazher Mahmood, famed for his undercover stings as the "fake sheikh", paid tribute to the News of the World's achievements in helping bring criminals to justice.

Campaigner Sara Payne praised the paper for being a "force for good" and a driving influence behind the call for Sarah's Law.

Another story celebrated the "always tasteful Nudes of the World", with images of the likes of Kelly Brook, Lily Allen and fuller-figured pop star Beth Ditto adorning the page.

The newspaper, which doubled its print run to five million yesterday, was expected to record its biggest sale for years as its historic final edition becomes a collector's item.

Following the exodus of advertisers in the wake of the hacking revelations, the final edition carried a series of ads for charities.

Expert views on key questions

Julie Moulsdale: How can Murdoch salvage PR disaster?

IF ANYONE was ever in any doubt about the power of reputation, the events which brought down the News of the World are a salutary lesson.

The crisis has led to outcry from the public and politicians.

So can the reputation of News International be salvaged? And if so, how?

The first step in dealing with any crisis situation is to face up to it wholeheartedly.

Often it is easier, particularly in the short term, to live with the elephant in the room.

It takes a very courageous individual to share bad news with a multi-billionaire, particularly if their job is on the line. In the long term however, the elephant will come back to crush you.

The next step is to acknowledge honestly and appropriately what went wrong.

The statement from James Murdoch was a step in the right direction, but came too late.

Putting staff out of a job won't endear Rupert Murdoch to an already distrustful audience.

If the Sunday Sun is launched, it is difficult to see how it will not be viewed cynically, particularly if journalists from the News of the World magically reappear.

So if you are in a crisis, face up to all of it, have a plan and, even if you are a multi-billionaire, don't assume you are untouchable by public opinion.

• Julie Moulsdale is MD of crisis specialists Perceptive Partners Communications, www.perceptivepartners.co.uk.

Robert Beveridge: What now for British journalism?

THE problem is not journalism as much as owners - like James and Rupert Murdoch - for whom profit is everything. What is now needed is a regulatory structure which can deal with people whose ethics and moral compass are sadly lacking.

News International had to employ private investigators such as Mulcaire to get some, and perhaps the most toxic, of their information. Presumably there were depths to which some - perhaps most - journalists would not stoop.

What this crisis demonstrates is the need for even more education and training in media regulation and ethics for both aspiring and practising journalists.

Journalists who work in broadcasting are trusted - because of the standards of the BBC for example - but would broadcasters have gone the full way on the MPs' expenses scandal in the way that the Telegraph did?

We need a mixed economy in the media. We need the impartiality and balance of the broadcasters but also a diversity of view and, yes, bias in the press.

A privacy law may now come, but it is easy to say everyone needs privacy, there also needs to be freedom of expression.

The relationship between these needs to be tested on a case by case basis.

Those who fail need to face real sanctions.

This time I hope it will be the Murdochs.

• Robert Beveridge is lecturer in media policy at Edinburgh Napier University.

Campbell Deane: Is closure designed to end legal liability?

The News of the World was published under the title News Group Newspapers Ltd, so it's not just a question of the newspaper but the parent company too.

The question will be whether they seek to fold that company, or whether they intend to continue. I expect trading of that company will continue until such times as the debts and creditors of the company have had their needs fulfilled.

For example, I did a case which was reported in The Scotsman two weeks ago, in which former Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc was awarded 70,000 and expenses in an out-of-court settlement to a defamation action. That money is not owed by the News of the World but News Group Newspapers Ltd.

I think the reality is they would almost certainly seek to honour claims which currently remain outstanding against them. In terms of libel cases, excluding online, that would be for one year from the date of the last edition down south, and in Scotland three years.

I would presume privacy cases would remain open.

From a PR perspective, if Murdoch wants to be seen to be playing with a straight bat it would do him no favours if he decided that a fund that was once available is now shut.

That would be highly risky, particularly when he wants to appear as an upstanding and responsible broadcaster in respect of the BSkyB deal.

• Campbell Deane is legal adviser to The Scotsman.