RUPERT Murdoch’s media empire contained in its fold the tabloid, News of the World. The paper was known for gossip, sensation and slander. It wielded great influence over politicians, businessmen, film stars and notables of society.

But its stock-in-trade were the ‘sting’ operations, set up to trap people in ‘compromising’ situations. Money was liberally used for this setup. This included ‘bribes’ to such saintly people as cops.

The newspaper got great publicity in Pakistan for trapping our three young cricketers with promising careers. The operation was organised through two Pakistanis, one working for the News of the World and a notorious bookie. The Pakistani public and media, well-known for our gullibility for every word uttered by the western TV networks and every word printed in western papers, took up the bait.

First, seven players of the team were called tainted (without any proof); then the figure was reduced to four and, finally, to the unfortunate three. These players are in limbo, barred from cricket but criminal proceedings against them have still to commence.

It was thus poetic justice that the News of the World was caught in a telephone hacking scandal, bribing the police and giving ‘facilities’ to

well-connected people, including the Chief of Metropolitan Police.

Now the dominoes are falling. The News of the World ceased publications after 168 years.

The Chief Executive of News Corp, a bright young woman, has been arrested (and subsequently released on bail) along with the editor.

Rupert Murdoch’s empire in the UK and the US is breaking up. Public inquiry apart, they are facing investigations by the UK parliament, UK police, American Congress and the FBI.

H.N. AKHTAR Karachi