As a former miner, I have always had contempt for Rupert Murdoch and all he stands for.
I boycotted Murdoch's empire before its disgraceful attacks on football fans at Hillsborough in 1989 and refuse to install Sky TV at home.
But I have been deeply shocked by the alleged wrongdoings that have been eventually exposed by some brave parliamentary colleagues.
Celebrities were seen as fair game although they also have a right to privacy. But charges that Millie Dowler and other victims were targeted by ruthless operatives have humbled Murdoch.
Murdoch's papers were never as all-powerful as they claimed but they tainted and distorted our politics. They are not setting the agenda now and their wings may now be clipped which will be a good thing for everyone.
The flight of advertisers from the News of the World was decisive. Their commercial aversion to association with the toxic paper was amplified by Internet users who mobilised the anger we all felt.
The tactical sacrifice of the News of the World shouldn't let Murdoch off the hook. It is obviously a cynical ploy to divert attention from potentially morally and criminally corrupt acts and maintain Murdoch's grip on British life.
The Government should ignore weasel words and bureaucratic fiddling by Murdoch who doesn't deserve any greater influence in our public life. I have, therefore, joined many thousands of people in urging the government to limit the Murdoch empire by stopping its take-over of BSkyB so we have greater plurality in the media.
The stranglehold of the Murdoch empire should be loosened. Proper regulation should now rein in such excesses. We need professional ethics in journalism so we all know, for instance, that if a paper decides to put our lives into print we can defend ourselves beforehand. too many innocent people have been crushed by newspapers seeking titillation for commercial reasons
We absolutely need a free press, which is essential in sustaining democracy and making sure that large companies and cowboys of all sorts don't squash the small man and woman. Most journalists seek the truth and expose wrongdoing. But Murdoch became over-powerful and employed too many charlatans. His humiliation could be a tipping point which could mean a fairer and effective media.
Newcastle Chronicle and Journal
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