Murdoch BSkyB bid now dead??

[Saracen]

In an almost unprecedented display of political unity (which no doubt won't last long) both coalition parties have apparently officially agreed to support a Commons motion tomorrow calling on Murdoch to withdraw his Sky bid.

This house believes that it is in the public interest for Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation to withdraw their bid for BSkyB

This motion has no legal force, but it does place Murdoch in an interesting position. If he goes ahead, it'll be in the face of coordinated opposition from all three major parties and most likely, just about every other party too. As the one with a "quasi-legal" decision to make, the Culture secretary will apparently not vote. It'll be interesting to see if any other MPs have the balls to defer the prevailing and and risk public opprobrium by voting for Murdoch.

Oh, and both Rupert and James Murdoch have been called before the select committee, as has Rebekah Brooks, next week. And Gordon Brown ways in with allegations about two of the remaining three Murdoch papers in the UK.

It just keeps going from one level to another. If Murdoch thought dumping the NoTW would "draw a line" it seems he was wrong.

And perhaps more seriously for NewsCorp, there's suggestions that there may be criminal investigations in the US too, and there's already been shareholder lawsuits, apparently.

[TheAnimus]

*coughs*

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2011...ack-computers/ more of it.

[Saracen]

*coughs*

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2011...ack-computers/ more of it.

It must be this headache, but I can't quite see the link to the above?

[peterb]

Interesting post - although not as interesting as the links that led from it

[Steve]

Just in case you wanted a summary of just some of the **** that has hit the fan so far:

http://gawker.com/5820243/jon-stewar...-world-scandal

I don't know if this vid is hilarious or sickening... Actually, I think it's both.

Oh, and I hope Murdoch's bid crashes and burns.

[G4Z]

Bet this news hammers his share price some more.

Good stuff

[Funkstar]

I can't remember when I heard it, but ti would have been on the BBC, one of their correspondents raised the questioned that if News Corp are found unsuitable to buy the remaining portion of BSkyB, then surely they are unsuitable to own 39% they currently hold?

[TheAnimus]

I'd have thought its different when you have a controlling share, vs a minority share.

But if its true that NI knew about all these illegal going ons then I think jail and serious punishment is in order.

[Biscuit]

Did anyone else sign the petition and write to their MP? I certainly did!

The media is far too powerful of a tool and Murdock has far too much power as it is, im just glad all this crap is coming out and is IN the media. Dont you just love the irony?

One thing bothered me about that video though, it seemed to suggest that America is any different where in reality its probably worse.

[TheAnimus]

Hmm saw this and found it funny:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...crossword.html
But in all seriousness I don't think its just murdoch doing this,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDYalpZhG_8
as he mentions the mail expressly, thou I think it might be the original rather than this exchange.

[Lucio]

You have to wonder, who in the media stands to benefit from focusing so much negative media interest on Mr Murdoch......

Anyhow, I think the deal will go through early next year now, once things quieten down. There's just too much money at stake for the investors to let the deal slip away

[MadduckUK]

You have to wonder, who in the media stands to benefit from focusing so much negative media interest on Mr Murdoch......

what do you mean by that?



internal investigation finds nothing wrong shocker

[Cozwin]

Quite enjoyed watching Steve Coogan and Hugh Grant ripping into ex NoTW staff, good stuff.

[MadduckUK]

muttering about Piers Morgan being dragged into it, wow, and i thought this couldn't get much better.

[SeriousSam]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14142307

Just need the American's to kick his ass now

[Grey M@a]

Baring in mind this only ties News Corps hands for 6 months under the Takeover code, so in 6 months time they could walk in, bid again and take control whilst the police investigations and public investigations are still ongoing, they are just buying time. Although within that 6 months another company can put their bids into the hat. Although would you put it past a 3rd party coming on board, getting the stake then selling to News Corp anyway!

They even make mention to being tied for 6 months only in their own press release so they will be back by Christmas to place another takeover bid.