Journalism—or Crime?

When there’s big money to be made, “journalists” will go to great lengths to get the gossip readers want. What’s behind the News of the World controversy?

Is it journalism? Or simply invasion of privacy?

Once again, Britain’s popular Sunday tabloid, the News of the World, found itself embroiled in controversy this week as new allegations of phone hacking and invasion of privacy erupted.

The latest allegations are distasteful, to say the least. The paper is charged with hacking into the phone of Graham Foulkes, father of David Foulkes, who was killed in the 2005 terrorist bombing attacks on the London Underground and bus services. Mr. Foulkes stated that his home address and phone number were found in the files of a private detective working for the News of the World, raising the suspicion his phone may have been hacked.

Hacking voice mails

This allegation follows on the heels of an earlier charge that journalists from the same newspaper hacked the cell phone of 13-year-old Milly Dowler, who went missing in 2002 and was later found murdered. It’s alleged that Milly’s voice mails were illegally accessed by News of the World journalists, who deleted some to make room for more messages, which encouraged her family to believe their daughter was still alive, when in fact she had already been murdered.

Whatever the truth of these allegations, the News of the World has already established an unsavory reputation for hacking into voice mails of public servants and celebrities and has paid legal compensation to various entertainers and public figures.

An earlier scandal, involving hacking voice mails of members of the royal family’s staff, led to the 2007 imprisonment of Glenn Mulcaire, a private investigator working for the paper at that time.

“Absolutely disgusting”

British Prime Minister David Cameron described the allegations as “absolutely disgusting.” “We are no longer talking about politicians and celebrities but murder victims, potentially terrorist victims. … I think everyone in this house [the House of Commons] and country will be revolted by what they’ve heard and seen on their TV screens.”

Opposition members of Parliament called for the resignation of Rebekah Brooks, who in 2002 was editor of the tabloid and is now chief executive of News International, the parent corporation of News of the World. News International also owns a number of other papers in Britain, and is part of Rupert Murdoch’s vast media empire, which includes newspapers and television stations in the United States.

Hacking into a cell (mobile) phone takes no great technical skill. The moral of the story? Don’t forget to change the PIN number for your voice mails. Many people leave it with the factory setting or make it a hacker-friendly “1111.”

At least that’s one moral of the story. Yet there is surely something of greater weight to be learned from this. Imprisoned PI Mulcaire is quoted as citing “relentless pressure” from the paper to produce results. Note, too, that the News of the World has been by far Britain’s favorite Sunday paper, with circulation reported at over 2.6 million copies. There is no small market for gossip and salacious journalism.

Gossip journalism rather like illegal drugs

What do these convictions and allegations tell us about ethical expectations, not just in British journalism, but in British, European and North American culture generally? Are we so desirous of gossip that millions will pay for publications that intrude into the lives of politicians, public figures, actors and even private citizens who have suffered tragedy at the hands of terrorists?

Ancient wisdom tells us that “a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter” (Proverbs 11:13). Also, “he who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips” (Proverbs 20:19). The law of God forbids this behavior: “You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people” (Leviticus 19:16).

Some of the News of the World advertisers have declared their intention to pull their business, including Ford UK and Renault. Others now state they are reviewing their relationship with the tabloid.

Yet consumption of this kind of journalism is rather like illegal drugs: It doesn’t stop as long as the market is still there. So isn’t it time for us—consumers of news, information and journalism—simply to raise our personal standards and decline on such fare, whatever the source?

News flash: It’s been reported that the News of the World will print its last edition this Sunday. Yet to be seen: Will readers just turn to other gossipy tabloids, or will some finally give up the bad habit?

Ralph Levy is a minister of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, who grew up in England and now lives in the United States. Dr. Levy enjoys serving the Church, reading, travel, foreign languages and collecting art, as well as aerobic exercise and weight lifting.