News International statement with regard to voicemail interception at the News of the World during 2004-2006:
Following an extensive internal investigation and disclosures through civil legal cases, News International has decided to approach some civil litigants with an unreserved apology and an admission of liability in cases meeting specific criteria.
We have also asked our lawyers to establish a compensation scheme with a view to dealing with justifiable claims fairly and efficiently.
This will begin the process of bringing these cases to a fair resolution with damages appropriate to the extent of the intrusion.
We will, however, continue to contest cases that we believe are without merit or where we are not responsible.
That said, past behaviour at the News of the World in relation to voicemail interception is a matter of genuine regret. It is now apparent that our previous inquiries failed to uncover important evidence and we acknowledge our actions then were not sufficiently robust.
We continue to co-operate fully with the Metropolitan Police. It was our discovery and voluntary disclosure of this evidence in January that led to the re-opening of the police investigation.
With that investigation on going, we cannot comment further until its completion.
News International’s commitment to our readers and pride in our award-winning journalism remains undiminished.
We will continue to engage with and challenge those who attempt to restrict our industry’s freedom to undertake responsible investigative reporting in the public interest.
ENDS
Tags: News International, phone hacking, voicemail interception
‘News International’s commitment to our readers and pride in our award-winning journalism remains undiminished.’
I for one am glad to read that. And congratulations also to sister company BskyB who have created a product out of nothing that has attracted 10,000,000 paid subscribers in Britain and the associated (real) jobs.
The phone-hacking has been rightly condemned, and NI are rightly apologising for it.
Unfortunately the prominence of this case on here has nothing whatsoever to do with high principle, and everything to do with the editorial line of NI’s newspapers, Fox News, and the fact that Newscorp makes *gasp* profits.
Elliot Morley’s also been in the news today. Any comment on thatthoughtnot.
Yeh right we all buy that apology and believe in Santa and the tooth fairy