U.K. paper accused of invading privacy
TEXT OF STORY
Stacey Vanek-Smith: British police have launched an inquiry into one of Rupert Murdoch’s newspapers. Reporters there are being accused of hacking into people’s cell phones to get scoops. From London, Stephen Beard has more.
Stephen Beard: The Guardian newspaper claims that a Murdoch paper was engaged in a massive and illegal invasion of privacy — and then tried to cover it up. The Guardian alleges that Murdoch’s News of the World paid private investigators to eavesdrop on public figures. Among the alleged targets: the actress Gwyneth Paltrow and two cabinet ministers.
Here’s Guardian reporter Nick Davies speaking on British T.V.:
Nick Davies: I’m told that that targeting consisted of hacking into their mobile telephones. And if so that’s very serious. But those are being offered as examples, among many others, of the breadth of this activity.
He says that between 2,000 and 3,000 people may have had their cell phones hacked into.
The Guardian reports that Murdoch’s company tried to conceal the abuses. It says the company has already paid some of the targets more than $1.5 million in confidential out-of-court settlements. Rupert Murdoch says he’s not aware of any such payments.
In London, this is Stephen Beard for Marketplace.
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