The liberal media – which is to say most of it – are celebrating the trials of Rupert Murdoch and his News Corporation over cell phone hacking allegations by staffers for its now defunct news of the world newspaper. There have been resignations and now arrests.
U.S. commentators seem to be channeling the Fox show “Glee” because of their hatred for another Murdoch property, Fox News. Fox News, on which I appear, is not accused of any wrongdoing. But you wouldn’t know it from what one hears on other networks and in print accounts. Rupert Murdoch is being treated like Casey Anthony.
The appetite for celebrity and scandal in Britain and America seems insatiable. That is not to excuse people who may have done wrong or broken the law. Investigations will expose them. But those who consume trash should not be surprised when infections spread.
As for Fox News, the attacks will underscore the media agenda, which talks a good game of pluralism, but in fact resents it no longer has a monopoly on the flow of information.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
This article published on July 19, 2011.
