News of the World Closure

Author: Alexis Asher

The News of the World is set to close after 168 years, having been accused of hacking into the phone lines of various individuals. Approximately 200 News of the World staff face redundancy, ranging from its editor Colin Myler, to advertising, marketing, administration and other editorial staff. Redundancy consultation is now thought to have begun.

Last night, journalists at the Sun newspaper had walked out in protest to demonstrate support for their colleagues at News of the World. News International has, as yet, refused to comment on rumours that the Sun could now become a seven-day-a-week operation.

The unfolding of the phone hacking crisis earlier this week led to several News of the World advertisers suspending their advertising with the paper until the police investigations into the hacking allegations had been completed. Ford was the first advertiser to announce it was to pull advertising from Sunday’s News of the World.

Controversially, the News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks is not yet thought to be losing her job, despite being the editor of the News of the World at the time of some of the alleged hacking. The Prime minister has commented today that Ms Brooks’ resignation was reportedly offered, and that this should, in his view, have been accepted by James and Rupert Murdoch. David Cameron has also reassured the public that his administration will be launching a full judicial review into the phone hacking.

The paper is set to print its last edition this Sunday, without any advertising. However the forthcoming investigations mean this will not be the last we hear of the News of the World.