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    Prince Harry and the return of the phone hacking scandal

    en-gbApril 28, 2023

    Podcast Summary

    • Prince Harry's Pursuit for Justice Against Rupert Murdoch's TabloidsPrince Harry accuses Rupert Murdoch's tabloids of phone hacking and illegal activities, potentially leading to a messy trial. The media's accountability for privacy and ethics remains crucial.

      Prince Harry's pursuit for justice against Rupert Murdoch's tabloids, specifically News Group Newspapers, continues as he alleges phone hacking and illegal activities targeting him and his family, including late Princess Diana. The hearing this week is not the full trial but a legal argument over whether Harry waited too long to bring his case. Harry claims he was targeted since his childhood for stories about his mother and personal matters, and The Sun denies any illegal activities. The news of the world, another Murdoch paper involved, shut down in 2011 after admitting to phone hacking. The Sun, which is still in operation, denies any wrongdoing. Harry's case could lead to a messy and public trial if the judge rules in his favor. The importance of holding the media accountable for their actions, especially regarding privacy and ethics, remains a significant issue.

    • British Tabloid Phone Hacking Scandal: The End of an Era for Print NewspapersThe phone hacking scandal at the News of the World cost over £1 billion in settlements and led to a call for media regulation and ethics, but few changes have been implemented.

      The British tabloid phone hacking scandal, which began in 2006 with the interception of Prince William's voicemail, led to the downfall of the News of the World and marked the end of an era of ruthless competition and massive profits in the print newspaper industry. The scandal, which was sparked by the hacking of a murdered teenager's phone, led to a public inquiry into the media and resulted in numerous payouts to individuals whose privacy had been violated. The total cost of these settlements is estimated to be over £1 billion for Murdoch's company alone, with no end in sight to the legal cases. The scandal highlighted the need for media regulation and ethics, and while some recommendations from the inquiry were made, few were put into law. The scandal continues to impact the UK media landscape, with only a few outlets still covering the story.

    • Prince Harry's Legal Battle with The Sun: Alleged Secret DealPrince Harry is suing The Sun for alleged secret deal in 2012 to suppress legal action, while The Sun denies knowledge. Harry's anger towards tabloids stems from mother's death and personal relationships. Controversy over phone hacking legal deadline.

      Prince Harry's ongoing legal battle against three newspaper groups, including The Sun, stems from an alleged secret deal between the royal family and the company in 2012. Harry claims he was advised to stay quiet about potential legal action until after the legal cases and media attention had died down. However, no records of this deal have been found, and The Sun denies any knowledge of it. Harry's anger towards the tabloid media runs deep, as he believes they were a major factor in the death of his mother, Princess Diana, and have ruined many of his personal relationships. He also alleges that illegal behavior, including phone hacking, took place at The Sun, which the royal family may have wanted to keep quiet. The 6-year legal deadline for phone hacking victims is a point of contention, with Harry's team arguing that the clock should start when the victim became aware of the hacking, while The Sun's lawyers argue that it should start when the hacking occurred or when the story was published.

    • Prince Harry's Lawsuit Against Murdoch's Media Empire: Timing of Claim and WitnessesPrince Harry's lawsuit against Murdoch's media empire revolves around the timing of his claim and potential testimony from key witnesses, including Rupert Murdoch's associate Rebecca Brooks.

      The ongoing legal battle between Prince Harry and Rupert Murdoch's media empire hinges on the question of when Harry knew he was a victim of phone hacking and when he should have filed a legal claim. Murdoch's lawyers argue that Harry should have known about the hacking based on media reports and his brother's previous experience. Harry filed his claim in 2019, four years after the alleged hacking. Meanwhile, Murdoch has faced significant challenges in recent months, including a $1.6 billion defamation settlement in the US and a potential civil trial in the UK related to phone hacking. Rebecca Brooks, a longtime Murdoch associate and current head of his UK business, could be called as a witness in Harry's case, which could impact her chances of taking over parts of the business in the post-Murdoch era. The legal proceedings and social changes have led to speculation about succession planning in Murdoch's media empire.

    • Murdoch, Brooks, and Morgan in the Spotlight of Harry's LawsuitPrince Harry's lawsuit against Murdoch's media empire accuses Rebekah Brooks, Rupert Murdoch, and Piers Morgan of publishing stories based on illegally obtained information and concealing the targeting of Princess Diana.

      The ongoing legal battle between Prince Harry and Murdoch's media empire has brought renewed attention to allegations of phone hacking and illegal information gathering at The Sun and other Murdoch publications. Former Sun editor Rebekah Brooks, who currently runs News UK and oversees The Times, Talk TV, Virgin Radio, and The Sun, could potentially be called to testify about the sources of controversial stories published during her tenure. Harry's lawsuit also accuses Piers Morgan, who was editor of the News of the World between 1994 and 1995, of publishing stories based on illegally obtained information and concealing the targeting of Harry's mother, Princess Diana. Morgan, who now works for Talk TV and collaborates with Brooks, denies these allegations. The mid-nineties trio of tabloid executives, Murdoch, Brooks, and Morgan, now find themselves facing Harry in this high-stakes lawsuit.

    • Prince Harry's legal battles against British newspapers are not isolated incidentsPrince Harry and others have pursued legal actions against multiple British newspapers for phone hacking, resulting in substantial settlements and limited press coverage

      Prince Harry's phone hacking case against The Sun, owned by Murdoch's News Group Newspapers, is not an isolated incident. Previously, other individuals, including Tianna Miller and Simon Hughes, have settled similar cases against News of the World and The Sun, respectively. Despite the companies' denial of any illegal behavior at The Sun, they have paid out substantial settlements. However, those who have won these claims have expressed a desire to go to trial to expose the criminality they allege exists within the corporation. Notably, Hugh Grant and Prince Harry are among those who are currently pursuing trials against The Sun and other publishing companies. Prince Harry's legal battles extend to multiple cases against three major British newspaper groups, including The Sun, The Mirror, and the Daily Mail. The extent of his legal actions against the media explains the limited coverage of these cases in the press.

    • Prince Harry's Determination to Sue TabloidsPrince Harry, motivated by personal experiences and resources, is pursuing legal action against tabloids, adding complexity to the royal family's communications during the coronation.

      Prince Harry feels deeply targeted by the tabloids and is determined to take them to court despite the personal and professional risks. His motivation stems from his belief that the media was a significant contributor to his mental health struggles and the death of his mother, Princess Diana. Harry's wealth and resources enable him to pursue this legal battle, making him a formidable adversary for the tabloids. The timing of his decision to sue, just before King Charles' coronation, adds an extra layer of complexity for the royal family's communications team. This situation highlights the intense scrutiny and long-standing tension between the British monarchy and the press.

    • Prince Harry's legal battle against The Sun could reveal inner workings of royal media relationsPrince Harry's court case against The Sun could be the first time a close-to-the-throne royal testifies, potentially changing public perception of royal media relations.

      Prince Harry's ongoing legal battle against the media, specifically the Murdoch-owned The Sun, could result in a significant moment for the British monarchy if it goes to trial. Harry has accused the press of intrusion and the hacking of his phone, which could potentially reveal the inner workings of how the royals deal with the media. If the case proceeds, Harry would be the first close-to-the-throne royal to give evidence in court and face cross-examination, making it an extraordinary event. The outcome of the case could impact the reputation of the royal family and potentially lead to a year of Harry in court if all pending cases go ahead. The significance of this moment cannot be understated, as it could change the way the public perceives the relationship between the monarchy and the press.

    • Exploring resources for business, travel, and financeExplore Shopify for online selling, Quinn's for ethical travel essentials, Yahoo Finance for investment resources, and The Guardian's Cotton Capital podcast for historical insights.

      There are various ways to expand and grow your business, and there are resources available to help you at every stage. For instance, Shopify is a global commerce platform that assists businesses in selling online and in person. Meanwhile, Quinn's offers affordable and ethically-sourced travel essentials. And for those interested in finance, Yahoo Finance is a trusted financial destination for both seasoned investors and beginners. Before wrapping up, don't forget to check out The Guardian's podcast series, Cotton Capital, which explores Manchester and the Guardian's links to transatlantic slavery. New episodes are released every Monday, and episode 4 takes the team to Brazil. You can listen to it now by searching for Cotton Capital wherever you get your podcasts. In conclusion, whether you're looking to start a business, plan a trip, or invest your money, there are tools and resources available to help you every step of the way. So take advantage of them and keep growing! This episode of The Guardian was produced by Klitzia Sala and Ruth Abrahams, with sound design by Solomon King and executive production by Elizabeth Kacin. That's it for today. Have a lovely weekend, and we'll see you on Monday.

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