Milly Dowler's phone hacked by NOTW leading her parents to think she might still be alive..

[ladybirder]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14017661

What absolutely disgusting behaviour. I had no idea this had gone on. Her poor parents. What punishment would be appropriate do you think?

[nicolab6]

Shocking

[jno]

this one's even on the front page of ft.com (but I think you need to register to read it).

I think this story may prove a tipping point. Hacking celebs' phones is reprehensible but nobody cares much. Interfering with the investigation into the murder of a schoolgirl is a serious matter which will upset many (including me).

Curious, though, that this story has come out just as the government is about to wave through Murdoch's takeover of Sky. I'd suspect an ulterior motive if I could see anyone who might be behind it; but I can't.

[Gromit]

You could well be right jno

// since there is an escalating clamour of voices saying that the apparent systematic invasion of individuals' privacy by the News of the World makes News Corporation unfit to own all of British Sky Broadcasting, and that the Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt should block News Corp's attempt to buy the 61% of BSkyB it doesn't already own. //

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14023233

[Davethedog]

Look at todays papers the lack of prominance is appaling. This is the freedom of the press, lets stick toghether and let the story die.

What we will see is the chattering classes pay lip service and another big business carry on.

This is a disgrace to the Dowlers and the country.

The only thing that we can do is not buy, but as I don't what else can be done. As you can tell i'm outraged about this.

[jno]

it's on the front page of all the serious newspapers, Davethedog, even the Financial Times. And even the Times, which is another Murdoch paper.

That the tabloids aren't doing the same doesn't surprise me; that's why I don't read tabloids.

[brionon]

So let 'em take over our Media- Berlusconi in the making -only we call 'em Conservatives.

[Ric.ror]

If its proven the parents should sue for about 1 billion - it wont skint the old so and so but it will make a difference
Also prison for those implicated including the editors if they are found out to know about it - 10 years (they will appeal so that will drop it to 5)

[ladybirder]

I think I heard last night that they are suing.

[jno]

So the chief of News Int has said she is sickened and will take the strongest possible action

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14032287

Nothing about "I was editor of the News of the World at the time and therefore take full responsibility for what happened", I notice.

[DTCwordfan]

well the best thing possible, if the story is true, (which it may look like as it is) is happening.

And that is the pulling back of major advertisers such as Ford and it now likes like the Halifax is pulling theirs. Best way to hit News Intl and The Murdoch.

And then the Police getting their oar in as well. Bet a few aren't going to sleep that well tonight. No sympathy here though.

[jno]

now the police are apparently talking to the parents of Ian Huntley's victims about their phones being hacked. This gets more and more repellent.

[ladybirder]

Yes watch them all squealing and trying to justify their behaviour. The hack responsible has apologised for any distress caused saying he was under pressure. The editor on whose watch it happened says she had absolutely no idea this was going on. Dread to think what else is going to come out. I know nothing has been proven yet but can anyone really doubt it's true?

[grffindoor2011]

It's interesting how the recent Lulsec hacking of 65000 email addresses went mainly uncriticised by the public, yet one phone hack made several years ago and the same public are up in arms.

Like it or not, the media get their info through 'means' which some will choose not to know. Or do you all think the many 'exclusive' front page headlines from newspapers over the years have come from a crystal ball.

[emmie]

Jno i was just listening to that, about the little girls, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, this could be the same situation how appalling.

[emmie]

And this, this evening papers, victims of 7/7
Detectives from Scotland Yard’s team investigating the phone hacking scandal are in the process of contacting a “handful” of the 52 bereaved families whose names or phone numbers have appeared as part of their inquiry, sources told the Daily Telegraph.

It is thought that journalists were seeking to access voice messages left on family members’ phones as they desperately waited for information about their loved ones in the aftermath of the bombings in 2005.

[jno]

grffindor, most leaks in the past came from police who were paid to slip confidential information to journalists. (Watching TV, I see they've just admitted this; but it's been commonly suspected for years.) Police never investigated these very thoroughly, strange to say. The first time round they didn't investigate the phone-hacking allegations either; now they're under the spotlight too and forced to do it properly.

People know email addresses are vulnerable and have been annoyed rather than outraged at lulzsec. They're hackers. But interference in the investigations of the murder of a schoolgirl - or more than one schoolgirl - by a well-known British newspaper is much more serious, both legally and emotionally.

[jno]

there's now a suggestion that relatives of the victims of the 7/7 bombings had their phones hacked

http://www.telegraph....ad-phones-hacked.html

[wardlaw]

I have my thoughts on punishment but this is a site that kids can see

[ladybirder]

PMQs at 12.00 should be interesting today as there is sure to be questions about this.