Before Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks alleged indescretions, there were Norman “Jock” Rae of the News of the World and Harry Procter of the Mail, who were quite happy to pay a fee for whatever story they can get. Both these reporters were regarding in great esteem by their editors, to the point than when a rival paper bought a helicopter in the late 1940s, Procter’s editor said: “They may have a helicopter, but we’ve got a Harry Procter.” Crime and murder became sensationalised (sound familiar), with Rae arranging to secretly meet with John Christie while the serial killer was on the run whilst the police were still on the lookout for him.
Technology may have changed but the tactics of journalists have not. Did Coulson or Brooks know what was going on? Probably, maybe but they probably are not the only ones. This is the tip of the iceberg.
Jason E Cooper 