The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Should Murdoch sell the Sun?

An intriguing proposal from Murdoch biographer Michael Wolff.

By George Eaton Published 13 February 2012 12:19

Trevor Kavanagh's article in today's Sun is notable for its hyperbolic attack on the police investigation (Kavanagh casually dismisses alleged bribery as "standard procedure") and for its coded critique of News Corp management.

Referring to "a sensitive domestic issue within the News International 'family'", Kavanagh, one of Murdoch's longest-serving lieutenants, writes that while it is important for News Corp to protect its reputation in the US, "some of the greatest legends in Fleet Street have been held, at least on the basis of evidence so far revealed, for simply doing their jobs as journalists on behalf of the company." Kavanagh's language ("simply doing their jobs") reflects the widespread sense at the Sun that the red-top, one of Murdoch's most successful papers, has been "hung out to dry" by News Corp.

The News of the World precedent means that there is natural speculation about the future of the Sun. In the absence of anything as toxic as the Milly Dowler scandal, it's hard to see Murdoch taking the nuclear option but one of his biographers, Michael Wolff, makes a smart suggestion in the Guardian. He argues that Murdoch should sell the Sun and use the proceeds (estimated at £500-£700m) to set up a not-for-profit trust to safeguard the future of the Times and the Sunday Times. This would strengthen Murdoch's claim to be the last of the great press barons and a supporter of "quality journalism". But as long as Rupert's alive, it's likely that the Sun will remain in the News Corp family.

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Tags: The Sun Rupert Murdoch

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9 comments

Wed, 2012-03-07 11:58 — Mariella (not verified)

Absolutely he should sell the Sun. That RM could think it was OK to set up the Sun on Sunday shows the man has no morals and is completely out of touch with normal moral sensitivites. I feel sorry for James Murdoch; it is RM who has been the driver nehind the seat. He should face due legal process

Mon, 2012-02-13 19:56 — matthew fox (not verified)

Kavanagh is a 24 carat windbag who feels that he and the rest of the News International mob are untouchable.

Did he expect the police to send a telegram?

Mon, 2012-02-13 20:19 — Anton Jury (not verified)

You would have thought that the evil old man would have retired now that he has been totally exposed. Does the man want a quiet life. Oviously not !

Tue, 2012-02-14 15:48 — Amaranthine (not verified)

Watching Nick Ferrari on Newsnight last night took my breath away (and I don't mean in a Valentine's Day sorta way): whingeing on about how the police are effectively victimising these unwitting stalwarts of Fortress Wapping ... Well, hello? The Met carry out dawn raids on people because THAT'S WHAT THEY DO. Why should a bunch of Sun reporters be treated any differently from anyone else, if they're suspected of committing criminal acts? Welcome to the real world, I say.

Mon, 2012-02-13 12:29 — Des Demona (not verified)

yes I read Kavanagh's puff piece. No mention anywhere that bribing a police officer is a criminal offence.

I do have some sympathy with the 'freedom of the press' argument - but corrupting the police is not the way to go about it.

Any journalist and police officer involved in that deserves all they get.

Mon, 2012-02-13 12:55 — Nicholas A (not verified)

@Des Demona - bribery is a serious criminal offence (in my view more serious than phone hacking) - and especially serious for a US corporation which needs to consider the potential impact of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. I am not suprised that News Corp gave up internal files to the police - it could have some serious explaining to to to the US authorities

Tue, 2012-02-14 17:57 — Alrich (not verified)

There are legal problems with creating a trust for the times as explained here: http://wp.me/pfo1I-3Q with forming a private company a better option with independent directors. But Murdoch has never quite understood the concept of "independent directors"

Mon, 2012-02-13 13:48 — David (not verified)

I can't help but feel that the writing is on the wall for The Sun, and if Kavanagh has written that then it shows how much the law of the land is held in contempt by News International. Politicians are well known for hubris, but journalists are guilty of it too. Breaking the law by paying police for information is the sort of corruption which should not be present in a democracy which likes to hold itself in (artificially) high esteem, and for a journalist to effectively use the Nuremberg defence is an indication of how bad things are at The Sun. They need to either change their ways or close down.

Mon, 2012-02-13 16:04 — p j wall (not verified)

Coming from a city that holds 'The Scum' in utter contempt, i along with millions of others wouldn`t give a flying S**t if it did fold?, obviously, the staff there now, post Hillsborough and Yellowbelly, Coward and Sh**thouse Kelvin Mackenzie`s reign, are concerned, rightly so, that time is, and has, finally caught up with them!!. It won`t fold of course, it could be sold, maybe, in the future?, i would rather look at the contents of one of Thatchers nappies!!, then read that Bog Roll of a 'so called' Newspaper?. Just my opinion.