Below is a copy of a letter I sent to the Sun newspaper today in response to the Guardian's revelations regarding the interception of Milly Dowler's voicemails, I am currently working on a longer response as the phone-hacking allegations have infuriated me from day one but the latest news is so revolting I have not been able to formulate a coherent blog yet! I suggest writing your own angry letter or simply using mine (remember to change the name!) and please send all reactions to talkback@the-sun.co.uk This is a crucial moment in the history of the media in Britain and I suggest we all react with appropriate ire!
"Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing regarding the details that have emerged in recent days relating to the hacking of Milly Dowler’s voicemail and the conduct of your employee Glenn Mulcaire.
Obviously I do not read your newspapers as I have an IQ over 4 and can understand more than four thousand words, however I acknowledge that a large number of people or ‘idiots’ do read the utter tripe you publish on a daily basis. Instead of pointing fingers and using the old defence that everyone was doing it, for which you have produced zero evidence, you may wish to at least appear to be humbled by your company’s actions and unilaterally concede and confirm your wrongdoings instead of “welcoming” inquiries. Perhaps a small sign of remorse rather than a bleeding heart memo from someone (Rebekah Brooks) who was either involved or at least criminally negligent may offer some contrition. I have never been an editor of a national newspaper but I would assume payments of tens of thousands of pounds would have to be signed for by some top-level employees and a basic level of questioning about how your reporters were gaining such personal information.
I also notice that the News of the World’s disgusting actions are sixth on your list of headlines today, behind such newsworthy items as Cheryl Cole’s ultimatums for Ashley Cole, what basis or sources you’ve used for this ‘story’ I dread to think, and long-range pictures of Arsene Wenger on a family holiday. Ground-breaking reporting! In fact the most believable story I found was about a Mexican UFO.
Perhaps also you can now offer a t-shirt on your site as well, something along the lines of “I’m a private investigator for News International and I got this t-shirt by pissing on the families of murder victims…” Perhaps this will more accurately reflect the level of contempt you have for good media practices and the privacy of individuals.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Mistry"
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