Rupert Murdoch—the world’s most notorious octogenarian and News Corp chairman—was recently foiled by a series of revelations involving some of his reporters hacking into people’s voicemails for tabloid stories. The result?
1. On Sunday, News of the World, his 168 year-old newspaper, shut its doors.
2. Since the revelations, some of his top lieuteants have come under criminal inquiry.
3. As of this morning, Mr. Murdoch withdrew his bid for British satellite broadcasting company BSkyB.
NewsCorp’s statement, via DealBook:
“We believed that the proposed acquisition of BSkyB by News Corporation would benefit both companies but it has become clear that it is too difficult to progress in this climate,” Chase Carey, News Corp.’s chief operating officer, said in a statement.
To be clear, by “this climate,” they mean “seeing as how some of our top executives are being eyed for criminal investigations.”
In the parlance of Counting Crows, one must hold on to these moments as they pass. As such, Media Mob humbly submits a scrapbook of Rupert Murdoch’s Worst Week Ever. If you have any additions, please put them in the comments or shout them at @Media_Mob; we’re glad to include them.
fkamer@observer.com | @weareyourfek