Murdoch Tape: Bribe Scandal 'Next to Nothing'

Recording reveals meeting with journalists
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 4, 2013 3:53 AM CDT
Updated Jul 4, 2013 7:38 AM CDT
Murdoch Tape: Bribe Scandal 'Next to Nothing'
In this Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, file photo, Rupert and Wendi Murdoch arrive at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

A newly released tape reportedly reveals a conversation between Rupert Murdoch and Sun journalists—and its contents are looking damaging for the News Corp. boss. Apparently speaking to staff arrested on bribery claims, Murdoch calls the investigation into his media empire "the biggest inquiry ever, over next to nothing," Channel 4 reports alongside an ExaroNews story. He also suggests that paying officials off is nothing new, the AP notes: "We're talking about payments for news tips from cops. That's been going on a hundred years."

He slams "incompetent" cops, telling his staff, "You guys got thrown out of bed by gangs of cops at six in the morning, and I'm just as annoyed as you are." When a journalist says that "it would be nice to hit back," Murdoch answers: "We will, we will." News Corp. is sticking up for the boss over the recording, said to have been made in March. Murdoch is showing "understandable empathy" with the reporters, the company says, per the BBC. "No other company has done as much to identify what went wrong, compensate the victims, and ensure the same mistakes do not happen again," says a company rep. (More Rupert Murdoch stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X