News of the World:

The integrity and ethics of the field of journalism have been called into question recently and very rightly so. News of the World has published its final edition, and the presses have been shut down after 168 years of providing their rather unique way of keeping the public informed.

"We've been let down by people that we trusted, with the result the paper let down its readers," said Rupert Murdoch, the owner of the paper.

Readers were shocked to learn of a widespread phone hacking conducted by News of the World journalists. Original reports of phone hacking came about in 2006. Scotland Yard reported to the appropriate people that their voicemails were being hacked into without their knowledge. Glen Mulcaire, private investigator for News of the World, had evidence seized from his home that included a list of 4,332 names or partial names, 2,987 phone numbers, various audio tapes and voice mail PIN numbers

The wide range of victims is nothing to scoff at. Athletes to police to members of the Royal Family and so forth have all been warned by police that they have potentially been hacked by Mulcaire.

While this story originally broke in 2006, not much came of it. Scotland Yard are currently being criticized for not taking the scandal seriously regardless of the allegations and concerns within the past few years.

Last week accusations flew that staff of News of the World listened to phone messages meant of 13-year-old Milly Dowler in 2002 between the time of her disappearance and the time that her body was found. These accusations were the final straw and really broke this scandal.

In a recent editorial, News of the World states, "Phones were hacked, and for that this newspaper is truly sorry. There is no justification for this appalling wrongdoing."

Friday, Andy Coulson, a former editor, and Clive Goodman, former royal correspondent, were arrested in regards to allegations of corruption. Another, unnamed man, was arrested, too.

Nearly 200 staff members are now unemployed with, reportedly, 90 days pay and are welcomed to apply elsewhere in the parent company.

Phone hacking is not an ethical journalistic practice. Hopefully, this scandal, especially being so widespread, will not cast a pall upon other journalists and journalistic outlets.

A good journalist learned his ethics.

A news organization cannot properly exist if it's credibility and reputation are compromised, because, ultimately, that is all it has.

Trust is important in this business, and, as anywhere else, once trust has been betrayed, it is hard to regain it.

For more information go to: http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/