'My column at the News of the World' blog discussion

A question about : 'My column at the News of the World' blog discussion

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's My column at the News of the World Blog.

Please click 'post reply' to discuss below.

Best answers:

• If you are writing as a journalist ina newspaper surely you don't advertise this business anyway?
• This sprang to mind as I was reading your blog..
  First they came for the Jews
  and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew.
  Then they came for the communists
  and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist.
  Then they came for the trade unionists
  and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist.
  Then they came for me -
  and by then there was no one left to speak out for me.
  The German anti-Nazi activist,
  Pastor Martin Niemцller
  This maybe unjust of me Martin because I think you do wonderful work ( and I hear what you say about reaching people) but I have always abhorred tabloid journalism.... so I'm surprised you have ever worked for them.. I'm voting with head and heart on this one as I don't see evidence in the paper ( which I looked through at the weekend) that they are any less scurriless than they always have been.
• I was surprised that you had anything to do with this publication anyway but definitely think that with the latest revelations it is time for you to cut all connections.
• As someone posted on your FB page - Ford and other advertisers are worrying about their 'brand' being tarnished by association and have (at least temporarily) voted with their feet. In just the same way the MSE 'brand' could be irreparably tarnished if you keep taking their shilling...
• These tabloids exist - and write - the way they do because people buy them. Appealing to the lowest common denominator tends to make millions. Doing the right thing...seldom makes anybody rich.
  People get the journalism they deserve because they choose to buy it. If you object - stop buying it. (My prediction - circulation will drop then they'll all be back within days/weeks)
  Money is the only language newspapers understand and is certainly the only rule Rupert Murdoch has ever lived by. If you contribute financially to these businesses (by buying the product or increasing product sales with your articles)then you are complicit in their activities.
  I don't buy tabloid newspapers and therefore my conscience is clear - or is it? I have Sky TV and it's quite likely some of my pensions, investments and savings are tied up in all sorts of companies whose ethics are questionable and whose values I abhor.
  It's a tricky one in the modern world Martin. You do have to follow your own conscience. Yes the typical NOTW reader is quite likely to be the kind of person most in dire need of your good sense financial advice - so perhaps you're right and pragmatism should trump the moral highground (which is often a very lonely place these days). Personally I wouldn't have that direct relationship with them because they make me feel sick. But then I wouldn't have begun that relationship in the first place.
  Buy yourself a longer spoon next time.
• I'd never believe anything anyone at the News of the World told you. Lying seems to be the only thing they do. And you ARE guilty by association. Rebekah Brookes, editor at the time of the scandal, is clinging on to power at New International, the parent company, with backing from Rupert Murdoch - they are your ultimate bosses. Does that really make you feel good? Maybe the hacking happened before you joined the paper but that doesn't change anything in my opinion. The fact is it almost certainly did happen. Why would you want to be associated with a paper which hacked murder victims and their families phones? I urge you to reconsider your position and understand just how angry the general public are on this issue.
• Of course you won't stop writing for them - they pay you a fee right? Money before morals for Martin.
  I'm surprised to hear you are so gullible as to believe what the editor tells you. Did you expect him to say 'we are still behaving badly'?
• Look to your conscience. There's no wriggle room in this horrific tragedy, and you have no way of knowing if it was still continuing long past the dates you give.
• I don't agree with Martin's stance over this but give him his due he has given his opinion - it would have been very easy just to say nothing and hope it all blows over.
  If I was getting paid for a column (assuming he has a wife and kids to look after) then I would be very reluctant to give up this income too - after all it has nothing to do with him.
  However if he has a chance to take his column to another paper why stay with the NOTW?
  Just how many copies of the Sun do Murdoch sell in Liverpool nowadays after the Hillsborough disaster? This could hit the paper very hard not just advertisers shunning it but I for one won't be buying it again.
  This could sink the paper in its present format.
• Good god man. Get some morals!
• If the newspaper is fully cooperating, doing all the right things and you believe they are committed to righting their wrongs then carry on writing for them. Martin, you are lucky that your career and your life's purpose is to educate the public on money and living a full and debt free life and you should feel free to promote yourself and your cause through the best vessel and method.
  You need to ask yourself "If I quit, what will it achieve?" and if that is to go along with public opinion to whip the NotW then so be it. But reading your blog post, it doesn't feel as if your heart believes that will have any practical effects.
  If the NotW are bad people, jump ship. If they can convince you that they're changing their ways and truly trying to improve journalism as a whole then stand firm till the storm rides over.
• Whilst I can't see why anyone would want to be associated with the NOTW right now, I can see the point that sometimes in order to reach those most in need you have to get down and dirty where the need is. Maybe there is a chance in the current context to put together a piece for next week based on the old saying "knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing" which talks a bit about the morals of greed and allowing money considerations to come before all else - surely the root of this whole mess.
• I don't know how much they pay you ( I'm sure its more pw than most people earn pw... for repeating what you post here!) but personally I don't think it worth it...
  You have cleverly used traditional media ( wasn't it the Sunday Mirror before, then GMTV, and NOWT ) to promote your own more modern medium, IMHO time to break those ties before you getted pulled down with them
• The fact that they let you write your stories with little interference tells us only one thing: you've never written anything that offends your paymasters or challenges their financial interests.
  Do you really believe Murdoch's minions have forsaken their use of intrusion, innuendo, threats and intimidation, particularly when it comes to silencing critics? Question: how did they keep this covered up for so long? Answer: they are capable of utterly savaging those who speak out of turn!
  One day it might be you. Would you have the appetite to take them on? Or is that the day "getting the message out there" suddenly becomes a lesser concern?
• Much as I've castigated NOTW on the threads in the various sub-forums I think Mr Lewis has made the right decision.
  I don't think this will sink NOTW - a few thousand angry forumites v. the near 3 million that buy The Sun and NOTW every day. Even The Sun has suppressed stories in their own paper. Their readership aren't going to be as concerned as a bunch of MSEers as their priorities are the size of the pair of tits each day on Page 3.
• A difficult decision. Not sure which way I would have gone, but I respect the rationale behind Martin's call on this.
  However, if I were Martin, I would make this decision conditional on the NOTW publishing his article so that its readers can be made aware of his thinking. It will also help to make up for the disgusting lack of coverage of the phone hacking issue in the NOTW (and all the other tabloids) so far...