James Murdoch: NOTW sullied by phone hacking
James Murdoch, chairman of News International and deputy chief operating officer of News Corporation told staff yesterday of the imminent closure of News of the World due to allegations of what he described as "inhuman behaviour" during the phone hacking scandal:
"When I tell people why I am proud to be part of News Corporation, I say that our commitment to journalism and a free press is one of the things that sets us apart. Your work is a credit to this.
"The good things the News of the World does, however, have been sullied by behaviour that was wrong. Indeed, if recent allegations are true, it was inhuman and has no place in our company.
"The News of the World is in the business of holding others to account. But it failed when it came to itself.
"In 2006, the police focused their investigations on two men. Both went to jail. But the News of the World and News International failed to get to the bottom of repeated wrongdoing that occurred without conscience or legitimate purpose.
"Wrongdoers turned a good newsroom bad and this was not fully understood or adequately pursued.
"Having consulted senior colleagues, I have decided that we must take further decisive action with respect to the paper.
"This Sunday will be the last issue of the News of the World."
