Murdoch says sorry

Rupert Murdoch has issued a statement to News Corp staff in the wake of the CMS select committee's report into phone hacking.

Here's a transcript:


Dear Colleagues

Today, the UK's Parliamentary select committee on culture, media and sport released its full report on issues surrounding phone hacking at the News of the World.

The report affords us a unique opportunity to reflect upon the mistakes we have made and further the course we have already completed to correct them.

I recognise that for all of us – myself in particular – it is difficult to read many of the report's findings. But we have done the most difficult part, which has been to take a long, hard and honest look at our past mistakes.

There is no easy way around this, but I am proud to say that we have been working hard to put things right.

We certainly should have acted more quickly and aggressively to uncover wrongdoing. We deeply regret what took place and have taken our share of responsibility for not rectifying the situation sooner.

To that end, News Corporation continues to co-operate with all inquiries relating to voicemail interception and improper payments to public officials. Indeed, we have gone beyond what law enforcement authorities have asked of us, to ensure not only that we are in compliance with the law, but that we adhere to the highest ethical standards.

I would also like to inform you today that the autonomous management and standards committee, which was established by the company to ensure full co-operation with all investigations, has completed its review of the Times and the Sunday Times, assisted by outside counsel, Linklaters. We found no evidence of illegal conduct other than a single incident reported months ago, which led to the discipline of the relevant employee.

Further, the management and standards committee has also completed its internal review into the Sun.

News International, at the instigation of James, instituted important governance reforms.

In addition, under the guidance of Gerson Zweifach, News Corporation's group general counsel, the company is implementing a more robust global compliance structure, with expanded education, customised controls, and group compliance officers across our businesses.

Today's report comes at a time when our business has never been stronger and we continue to demonstrate strong operational excellence focused on returning maximum value to all of our stockholders.

It is a testament to the integrity and strength of you, our more than 50,000 colleagues around the world, that we could experience such exceptional performance even in the midst of unprecedented public scrutiny. I have also never been more encouraged by your dedication and steadfast commitment to our future.

The opportunity to emerge from this difficult period a stronger, better company has never been greater and I will look to each of you to help me ensure that News Corporation's next 60 years are more vital and successful than ever.

Doesn't it make your heart bleed for him? NOT!

COMMENT: Is saying sorry ever enough?

We've all done it, I'm sure: One child has upset another and you make one apologise and then tell them to play nicely. Most of the time it works. Well, it works for children.

In the adult world, though, ate things different? Can saying sorry ever be enough when you've upset or offended someone else?

In order to calm the furore/Twitter spat that his ill-judged/misplaced/ignorant comments about Liverpool F.C. and the Hillsborough disaster, "comedian" Alan Davies has issued and apology for any upset he caused. Additionally, he's made a £1,000 donation to one of the Hillsborough charities.

Now, there are some who will say that he's accepted he made a mistake and has apologised, let's move on.

But others will point out that he still said what he said, and only a couple of days ago, and it's too easy to just say sorry. Some will say that saying sorry is a meaningless gesture, and even the £1,000 donation is nothing for a man who, in a couple of week's time, will earn several times that for a one night show at the Liverpool Empire.

It's hard to see where the line can by drawn to appease all sides. Clearly, Hitler couldn't just have said sorry for the Holicaust and Second World War, but if all that's been done is to upset people's emotions surely a sincere apology should be accepted?

Maybe the important thing is that the apology actually seems genuine and believable, and, maybe in Mr. Davies case, there are many who don't accept that he is genuinely remorseful.