The anti-Rupert Murdoch campaigners on Friday tasted their fourth victory, with News International’s UK-based CEO putting in her papers.
Rebekah Brooks, 43, who has worked for Murdoch for 22 years now, has been portrayed by the media both within and outside the UK as the face of Murdoch’s tabloid journalism.
Before becoming the CEO of News International in 2009, she worked as the editor of News of the World (NoTW) and The Sun, two of Murdoch’s tabloids, between 2000 and 2009.
Ever since phone-hacking by Murdoch’s papers became global news in June, the anti-Murdoch campaigners have been demanding Brooks’ resignation.
She had offered to resign earlier too, but Murdoch had then stood by her.
The Guardian newspaper on July 4 broke a story that NoTW hacked the mobile phone of the murdered 13-year-old girl Milly Dowler that led her parents to think she was alive. The incident dates back to 2002.
This created outrage globally, forcing Murdoch to close down NoTW and withdraw News Corp’s bid to gain full control of British satellite broadcaster BSkyB.
The third victory for the anti-Murdoch campaigners came yesterday after the House of Commons Select Committee summoned Rupert Murdoch, his son James and Brooks on Tuesday next week.
Though the father and son initially resisted, they agreed after intense public pressure, partly helped by political friends such as UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
While these developments were unfolding in the UK, five US senators put pressure from the other side of the Atlantic, forcing the Federal Bureau of Investigation to start an investigation into News Corp’s alleged criminal activities such as tapping the phones of 9/11 victims.
Brooks said, “At News International, we pride ourselves on setting the news agenda for the right reasons.
Today we are leading the news for the wrong ones. The reputation of the company we love so much, as well as the press freedoms we value so highly, are all at risk.”
“As the CEO of the company, I feel a deep sense of responsibility for the people we have hurt and I want to reiterate how sorry I am for what we now know to have taken place. Therefore, I have given Rupert and James Murdoch my resignation. While it has been a subject of discussion, this time my resignation has been accepted,” she said.
Despite the caustic criticism the media group’s journalism has suffered in the past two weeks, Brooks said, “I have worked here for 22 years and I know it to be part of the finest media company in the world.”
Brooks’ proximity to the Murdoch family has surprised both Murdoch’s friends and critics. She is popularly referred to as “Murdoch’s fifth child.”
Earlier, Murdoch Senior had refused to accept Brooks’ resignation, despite suggestion by Cameron and other senior political leaders in the UK that he must do so.
However, late last night, Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a major shareholder in Murdoch’s scandal-hit News Corp, in an interview to BBC Newsnight, said Brooks “had to go”.
“For sure she has to go, you bet she has to go,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, Murdoch’s daughter, Elisabeth, too, sought Brooks’ resignation.
