Murdochs were given secret defence briefings

[dipsydoodle]

Source: The Independent

The extraordinary access that Cabinet ministers granted Rupert Murdoch and his children was revealed for the first time yesterday, with more than two dozen private meetings between the family and senior members of the Government in the 15 months since David Cameron entered Downing Street.

In total, Cabinet ministers have had private meetings with Murdoch executives more than 60 times and, if social events such as receptions at party conferences are included, the figure is at least 107.

On two occasions, James Murdoch and former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks were given confidential defence briefings on Afghanistan and Britain's strategic defence review by the Defence Secretary, Liam Fox. A further briefing was held with Ms Brooks, Rupert Murdoch and the Sunday Times editor John Witherow.

>

The list, released by government departments yesterday evening, reinforces the impression of an unhealthily close relationship between the top echelons of News International and senior members of the Coalition Cabinet, which first became apparent when Mr Cameron released his list of contacts with news organisations a week ago. He revealed then that he had met News International executives on 26 occasions since entering Downing Street.

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/murdochs-were-given-secret-defence-briefings-2326517.html

[BigDemVoter]

1. I would love it if they could determine that *Bush

included those assholes in secret briefings here in the USA. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that they had "secret" access.

[tishaLA]

3. the nutters wouldn't care

To the UK's credit, the nutters seem to have significantly less influence there.

[cstanleytech]

15. You can almost bet

if the Bush administration provided any such "special" exclusive briefings to Murdoch or to News Corp/Fox News that any evidence of it has been scrubbed hardcore.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

16. Calling...

.... Roger Ailes, Roger Ailes to the courtesy phone, please.

[Mosaic]

70. Okay

But don't discourage us from trying. Okay?

[cstanleytech]

80. By all means do try

because imo such damning evidence would be great to have if it can be found but just dont get your hopes up of finding it.

[Auntie Bush]

86. Yeah, just like Bushs' reserve records.

Ugg! :puke: at the thoughts of Bush and his corruption.

[No Elephants]

32. Doesn't matter. That would be looking back. We're looking only forward.

When reserving hotel rooms (well, probably suites) for Cheney, the instructions to management were that all TVs had to be tuned to Fox News. So, I'm guessing Murdoch had good access in the U.S. as well.

However, that is probably equally true of everyone that was helping Bushco sell the Iraq War, though, including the NYT and Meet the Press.

[SaveAmerica]

59. I also wonder how much of the USA secret info was shared between Cameron and Murdoch's gang?

[librechik]

75. of COOOOOOOOOOURSE!! n/t

[Judi Lynn]

2. Wow. Who would have expected THIS? Outrageous, truly nasty. n/t

[dipsydoodle]

4. Its such a shame

you can't watch this over side : http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x603582 That documentary also show that it was even worse with Blair & Co especially leading up to the War In Iraq.

:hi:

[malaise]

5. Yes it is

I really want to see that

[dipsydoodle]

9. Try

some of the earlier Dispatches stuff on Youtube out of curiousity. It might be that they open it up after a period of time.

Aside from that go here where such stuff gets archived : its already there I just checked. Use the flash movie option : not stream. I think that might work for you. http://www.thedossier.info/video_cover-ups.htm

Goodnight ! :)

:hi:

[Turborama]

25. I know how you can watch a good quality version of it...

It's in the Bay with the the Pirates (size 549.94MB), if you know what I mean...? ;-) :hi:

[dipsydoodle]

42. I get your drift

but don't use such things myself. Thanks for the suggestion anyway and I hope it works for some. Have you now watched it and if so what did you think ? I was appalled at the connection between Blair and Murdoch let alone current events. Did you try what I suggested to Malaise on the Dossier site ? If so did that work ?

:hi:

[florida08]

45. dipsy this looks like it works

am listening now..http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/07/25/18685988.php

[dipsydoodle]

47. HEADS UP - florida08 has cracked it !

Although I don't need it here in the UK that link works for me too.

You can all now watch How Murdoch Ran Britain using her link above.

:hi:

ps why don't you post it stand alone in GD now ?

[florida08]

48. done

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1586200

:hi:

[dipsydoodle]

50. Great.

I've already rec'd that for you.

[florida08]

54. thank you

and thanks for making me aware of this film. Hope they squash his influence there and hoping very much to see a doc on his behind the scene influence here in the US.

[goforit]

83. What a great documentary. Thanks for the link.

Is the new world order crumbling?
Not in this country yet.

[Turborama]

77. I did watch it, thanks for the heads up. The connection between Blair & Murdoch is old news

Cameron's relationship with "the digger" was going to be give Murdoch a much firmer grip on UK politics than he ever had, though, what with his plans to destroy the BBC and neuter Ofcom for him. The hiring of Coulson to be a core member of his team was a dead give-away to anyone who was paying attention at the time.

I hadn't heard about Miliband's Murdoch insider until watching that episode of Despatches. I found that rather disturbing, it's like a parasitic invasive species was attacking UK politics and no-one could do anything about it for fear of having their careers destroyed.

I did like the sentiments at the end about how Murdoch's grip has been permanently released from UK politics, hopefully they were making a valid prediction and weren't being overly optimistic.

Thanks again, for sharing it. I miss being able to watch Despatches and Panorama. Probably the two best current affairs documentary series being broadcast anywhere.

:hi:

[sabrina 1]

81. Hi Turborama

I remember, and have mentioned it a few times in Murdoch threads, you had posted information on Murdoch's presence in so many countries around the world, which at the time, was a shock to me. Now, that has a lot more significance as it seems he was not just a 'tabloid journalist' who ran Fox here. That research was excellent and it's possible now that things appear to be unravelling for him, there will a lot more coming out, unless some powerful forces put a stop to it.

Not sure if anyone remembers, but Julian Assange, last January, stated that he had information on Murdoch that was so damaging he was keeping it as 'insurance' only to be released if anything happened to him.

It seemed from that statement, which he made to the New Statesman at the time, that what he had was way more important than just phone hacking. He also said 'unless someone else releases it first'.

[Kingofalldems]

6. K and R all Murdoch scandal threads

[Stuart G]

7. k and r

[glinda]

8. K & R n/t

[Me.]

10. Bye, Bye David

[Grrrfun]

11. hand

in glove relationship, on both sides of the pond.

gubbermints love Co-Operative news organs for crap-a-pulting their propaganda all over the place instead of doing any actual investigative reporting.


this onion has a thousand layers and I can't wait to see each one peeled slowly and painfully back.

This Is The Biggest Story Ever!!
Stars, Murders, Spies, SuperCriminals, Royalty, Espionage, War, Bribery and a Transcontinental Crime Syndicate masquerading as a News Organization !!

[Horse with no Name]

12. WHO elected THEM?

Seriously.

[harun]

18. The same people who elected The Heritage Foundation the Rand Corporation

and The American Enterprise Institute, etc.

[No Elephants]

34. Probably some of the same folks who will be electing the binding cat food commissioners.

[buckrogers1965]

13. Isn't this information classified?

So that telling people without a clearance and a valid need to know is illegal?

Or did they bring in everyone to brief them one at time on this information?

[No Elephants]

35. Laws. Pfffft.

[KansDem]

62. Right! Only the "little people" are subject to laws!

How dare the Murdochs be questioned!

[geardaddy]

14. K and R

This needs to go to Den Haag.

[thereismore]

17. Revolting. nt

[midnight]

19. In return for Murdoch's work/spying he was given free reign?

[smiley]

20. isn't this a surprise...

..not at all. Murdoch and his network ( cabal ) of media networks began in the 80's... most likely earlier. Big Brother won a long, long, time ago.

[No Elephants]

36. A lot of things began in the '80s.

Fox, DLC, Koch brothers cooking up the Tea Party, a number of think tanks by conservatives of both parties, a massive increase in lobbyists in D.C. and on and on.

Geez, did electing St. Ronnie really inspire all that? If not, what plague of Ba'al did?

[Enthusiast]

39. Plague is right.

It has fucking destroyed the nation. And just wait. You think there is a debt crisis now? Just wait until they start a war with Korea, Pakistan or Iran. Those are wars that would dwarf the expense of Iraq and Afghanistan.

[GliderGuider]

46. It started with Lewis Powell's Memo to the CoC in 1971. Ronnie was their first breakthrough.

It took them a few years after the Memo was circulated to get organized. By the time Reagan came along they were prepared to take advantage of him.

http://reclaimdemocracy.org/corporate_accountability/powell_memo_lewis.html

[chollybocker]

21. I hope Fox nEWs covers this story

next time they discuss Boehner calling Limbaugh for consultations.

Oh wait they don't? ShaME...

[defendandprotect]

22. Wondering what the reaction of the British is to this news ---- ?

[GliderGuider]

23. I have to wonder what enormous skeletons are hidden in Murdoch's closet

Either the skeletons that he rattles to gain access, or the skeletons that have ended up there as a result of that access.

The Doctor of Harrowdown Hill might have a story to tell - if skeletons could speak.

[No Elephants]

37. Speaking of skeletons being unable to speak, any more news on the whistleblower whose unexplained

death occurred a few days before Murdoch et fils were due to untestify under unoath?

[dipsydoodle]

41. No is the answer

They are waiting for the detailed toxicology report which takes weeks. The report for Amy Winehouse will also take the same period of time. Both deaths remain unexplained for the time being - its the way such issues are classified here. More will also become clear at the Coronor's Inquest at Watford Magistrates Court because whoever it was that called the police that day, which was one of his neighbours, will be called to give evidence. That should clear up some of the circumstances. I might even wander down there myself that morning to see if I can get into the public gallery. You know from elsewhere I don't believe there was any 3rd party involvement here. It may however be that because of current circumstances he either drunk even more than he'd alleged to be doing by his neighbours or that he did in fact commit suicide.

[sabrina 1]

44. How very lucky for Murdoch and friends. Same thing used

to happen for the Bush cabal. You would almost think 'God' was on their side the way things would happen just in time, coincidentally it seemed, to help them out when they most needed it.

Two whistleblowers die, just in time to prevent them from testifying against Murdoch. He must think there really is a god.

As for Blair, and now Cameron dealing with the New World Order Propagandist, it only proves what many have believed for a long time now, there really are no 'parties' anymore, they ALL work for the same bosses and if they do a good job, they will be rewarded by being allowed into the inner circles once they are out of office, helping to run the world, rather than just one little country.

[dipsydoodle]

49. Yes - that's the problem

They are all the same - just like Animal Farm. There are issues with what be regard as "democracy"

:hi:

[tiny elvis]

24. for what did news international hack 7/7 families' phones?

why hack iraq war fallen families' phones?
why do some congresspersons think they hacked 9/11 families' phones?

[dipsydoodle]

43. That was a sole claim

made by Trinity Mirror Group here in the UK. They have yet to substantiate the claim. They claimed that a NY Police Officer was approached in this connection but he declined anyway. The claim was made, according to The Sunday Mirror, by an unidentified 3rd party.

Make of it what you will.

[certainot]

26. what a horrible joke, and tragic for all those victims of the iraq attack

[Turborama]

27. NYT: Meetings Indicate British Officials’ Links to Murdochs

By JOHN F. BURNS and RAVI SOMAIYA
Published: July 26, 2011

LONDON — As the phone hacking scandal struck the heart of British politics in recent weeks, one figure has been notably silent: the chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, who, by several accounts, played a decisive role in bringing the former News of the World editor Andy Coulson into 10 Downing Street as a senior adviser. That move has deeply embarrassed the British government.

Pressure on Mr. Osborne mounted Tuesday as details of his extensive meetings with the Murdochs and leaders of the News Corporation’s British subsidiary, News International, were released.

A diary posted on the official Web site of the Exchequer showed that his encounters continued even after a new police inquiry into hacking had begun, and as the government neared a crucial decision on the Murdochs’ $12 billion bid, subsequently abandoned, to take complete control of British Sky Broadcasting, the country’s dominant satellite broadcaster.

The political significance of what appeared to be Mr. Osborne’s husbanding of the government’s ties with the Murdoch empire lay in large part in his role as the chief architect of Prime Minister David Cameron’s contentious program of harsh austerity measures. Those measures have made Mr. Osborne, 40, one of the most divisive figures in British politics. Any hint that he is politically vulnerable in the hacking scandal could affect the government’s declared resolve to hold unwaveringly to its economic policies, which combine steep spending cuts with tax increases.

Full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/27/world/europe/27hacking.html?_r=1

[progressoid]

28. WTF?

:grr:

[Rex]

29. But see that is not extreme fringe rightwing loonies, they were part

of the govt! Amazing how Repukes have embedded themselves into the peoples pie and won't share a scrap.

[Metta]

30. Shit, meet fan.

Hi ho.

[Ignis]

31. K&R. What an ugly business.

:kick:

[rabs]

33. Late night kick for the morning crowd

And two questions:

Did this violate the Official Secrets Act?

Did the Murdochs filter the secrets to a third party -- like maybe an intelligence agency in the Middle East?

:kick:

[No Elephants]

38. Great article, Dipsy Doodle. Thanks. We're lucky to have a faithful DUer across the pond.

[dipsydoodle]

64. I have enjoyed being here

since Jan 2006 when by pure chance I discovered Democratic Underground while watching C-Span one Sunday morning - that replaces our Parliamentary Channel at times. It was a birthday celebration for DU from memory. I had for a number of years been incensed at the antics of the USA in Latin America and wondered if DU might be a good place to let of steam with like minded people and also learn in general - things grew from there.

:grouphug: to everyone here.

[beac]

65. And back to you, dipsy!

:hug:

We may not always see just eye-to-eye, but your boots-on-the-ground perspective is always illuminating & welcome. :hi:

[Enthusiast]

40. This is truly frightening.

I can only assume Murdoch has similar influence in the U.S.A.

[beac]

66. Only a hopeless sucker would bet against you on that one.

I'd imagine it's a a good deal WORSE over here, in fact... America being Murdoch's "home" country and all. :puke: Giving that guy citizenship was one of the worst decisions our government ever made.

[barbtries]

51. oops

i think this could be the end of cameron?

[lunatica]

52. 15 months is 425 days and he was there 107 times including 60 private meetings

They weren't just acquaintances. Some people don't even see their families that often. 107 days is 3 and a half months out of 15 months. I think they saw each other more times than Bush went on vacation in a year. They were given more than secret defense information. The question is what weren't they given? I think the Murdocks had complete access to anything they fucking wanted whether getting it as friends or as blackmailers. I'm sure it wasn't the tea that Downing Street served.

[dipsydoodle]

53. We await

the comparative figures for Blair and Co. especially around the time of decisions regarding the war in Iraq.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

55. Cameron needs to be forced to resign. He's a danger to that country.

Incredible!

[spinbaby]

56. Notice how Murdoch has dropped out of the news in the US

It's like they never heard of him.

[Hubert Flottz]

58. Right...

Nothing to see there.

The American media and the regulators are in deeper in the US than anywhere else on the planet I'd bet on that. And I doubt that Rupert is the only culprit involved in the right wing/new world order propaganda blitz.

[Hubert Flottz]

57. Now we see why Karl and Bush couldn't let the records of who...

came to the White House and when they came there, to be looked at!

SHOCKING...yes but we guessed that FOX was a republican party organ. This is the second shocking documentary I've watch in as many days...the Other is called 'Inside Job'

The people who don't believe in conspiracies are the real "NUTS"

Edit...I'm betting that Rupert and friends buy their way out of any trouble they may get into. Rupert is a bigger threat to democracy than Bin Laden ever dreamed of being, but he has the cash to skate away.

[dipsydoodle]

60. buy their way out of any trouble

See here : http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4936543

So 39% - I make that US$ 1.638 Billion will go to News Corp. That should pay for rather a lot.

[myrna minx]

61. K&R n/t

[City Lights]

63. Wow!

Cameron has some explaining to do!

Rec'd.

[goforit]

67. Michael Gove/Murdoch to change truth through education

and factual accounts through history.
An absolute Orwellian society manipulated by their slimey fingers.

May they all rot in hell!

[KansDem]

68. I remember the "good ol' days" when "Big Brother" meant the government!

Little did we know it was referring to "Big Corporate Brother!"

Apparently, many Americans dislike "Big Government" but don't mind being told what to do and say by "Big Corporations."

[Lint Head]

69. 26 times!? Murdoch is definitely a corporate fascist. I would bet real money

he is a Mussolini expert. He has studied the techniques of fascist control. Murdoch obviously does not like uncertainty and is an unrepentant control freak.

[Uncle Joe]

71. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, dipsydoodle.

[Raksha]

72. K & R

[bulloney]

73. Membership (to the Good Old Boys Club) has its privileges.

More evidence that there's one set of rules for the elite; another set for the rest of us.

[liberal N proud]

74. Money is power

And Murdoch is supreme in using that power to control and influence.

I hope this bastard and his organization get their due.

[russspeakeasy]

76. Whats the point of being a scumbag if you can't do scummy things ?

:evilfrown:

[millerm777]

78. Did Bush give Murdoch WMD briefings

[Kingofalldems]

79. And of course that would never happen here.

[Turn CO Blue]

82. Here's my question:

How much further would News Corp and the Murdochs had to have gone before what they were doing was/is considered international espionage? I mean so far we know they were listening to the Exchequer and to the Deputy Prime Minister and who knows who else in the military and governments across the world - who knows what classified info they heard?

Right now we're talking about phone hacking - what if it went beyond to classified info? Who truly knows what they did with that information - and who knows if they weren't hacking computers as well? And how can we be sure of their intentions or actions with that information did NOT GO BEYOND SELLING NEWSPAPERS OR GETTING TV RATINGS? I wouldn't trust these cabal-minded people further than well,... I wouldn't trust them for anything. And I don't trust the people investigating this either.

They could use any information -- even any classified information -- certainly to influence reader opinion, and we who follow Rupert know they were using it to influence policy certainly, but what IF?
What if they used it when buying/selling stocks in their personal portfolios? That's insider trading. Martha Stewart went to jail for less.
What if they used the info to help their "friends" and informed certain companies about potential government MIC contracts?
What if they used it to INFLUENCE entire markets? That's beyond RICO and racketeering.
What if they called certain world leaders with info - and expected return info - isn't that SPYING - espionage by definition?

The whole thing is beyond sinister.

I say that we call them international "SPIES" from now on instead of "hackers". This is a far and away BIGGER CRIME than listening to celebrities bickering on the phone or talking about their next movie project. These people were spying on government leaders for Pete's sake.

[GliderGuider]

84. +1000 Hear, hear!

Given their known contacts with intelligence agencies like MI6 in the UK, and also their supra-national connections, the idea that they were being given explicit cabinet-level briefings is a whole other level of activity compared to just hacking the cell phones of widows, orphans and dead teenagers.

Sinister is the right word.

[Uncle Joe]

85. You asked good questions, Turn CO Blue.

:thumbsup:

I have no doubt Murdoch's and/or his Minions would have used whatever ill-gotten information they could obtain to extort politicians to pass whatever policies, Murdoch wanted.

[WillyT]

87. Hey dippsydoodle... Did You Happen To Catch This:

Link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1583760

:hi:

:kick: & Rec!!!