And at Los Angeles Times, "Rupert Murdoch visits a London that's turned on him." And, "British tabloid scandal envelops three pillars already stained":
Even before the hacking allegations exploded into the national consciousness after reports that the News of the World may have tapped into the voicemails of murder victims' families as well as those of movie stars and other celebrities, the reputations of lawmakers, journalists and the police had been tarnished.
Two years ago, Britons were outraged to learn that members of Parliament were claiming reimbursement from taxpayers for expenses such as home improvements and horse manure for their gardens. Lawmakers have pledged to clean up their act, but voter faith in their integrity dropped dramatically.
The police have been hit by accusations of using excessive force against protesters and spying on environmental activists. And criticizing the media is as much a pastime here as it is in the United States.
"All the institutions of politics, press and police have emerged the worse for their involvement in the affair," said Ian Burrell, the media editor at the Independent newspaper. "This is a big newspaper-reading society. People still take immense pride in the 'mother of parliaments' and the integrity of British bobbies.... This story is going to undermine public trust in the way society operates."
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