Murdoch's News of the world bids farewell

Double print order, no commercial ads, all revenues from last editions for charity

After shocking, entertaining and titillating millions of readers for 168 years through 8,674 editions, the world’s largest selling Sunday tabloid, News of the World (NoTW), bid a final farewell today. The final edition that went to print late Saturday night, on a double than usual print order of five million copies, had its characteristic screaming front page, but simply said, ‘Thank you & Goodbye.’

The sudden demise of one of the world most controversial tabloids came after being hit by a serious phone hacking scandal that, for a good part of this month, had rocked the British parliament, Prime Minister’s office and the metropolitan police.

NoTW was published by media baron Rupert Murdoch-controlled News International, that now has three nameplates left in its portfolio — daily tabloid The Sun, daily broadsheet The Times and The Sunday Times.

A full-page editorial in the paper today said, “Quite simply, we lost our way. Phones were hacked and for that this newspaper is truly sorry. There is no justification for this appalling wrongdoing. No justification for the pain caused to victims, nor for the deep stain it has left on a great history.”

The paper’s critics, who expected an explicit apology on the front page instead of a simple goodbye, expressed their disappointment.

Murdoch’s decision to close NoTW was swift, delivered by his son, James, last week. In a statement issued to 200-odd colleagues in the paper, Murdoch Jr had said, “Having consulted senior colleagues, I have decided that we must take further decisive action with respect to the paper. This Sunday will be the last issue of the News of the World.” James Murdoch is Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Chairman and CEO, International, News Corporation, parent holding company of News International.

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The group has promised to start a consultative process with employees to decide on their fate and final compensation. Some reports in the local media said journalists with the paper might go to court, seeking compensation up to £70,000 each.

As promised in James Murdoch’s final letter to his colleagues, the paper today carried no commercial advertisements. It had over a dozen charity ads and revenues from the sale of the final edition was to be given to charity.

Meanwhile group chairman Rupert Murdoch arrived in London today to take stock of the progress in News Corp’s effort for a full takeover of satellite broadcaster BSkyB. The Conservative party’s coalition partner in the government, the Liberal Democrats, today backed opposition Labour’s call to put the takeover bid on hold until the police investigation into the phone hacking scandal was complete.

Meanwhile, newspaper vendors were told in advance by the paper’s sales team that extra copies would be supplied, as readers were expected to be keen to get copies of the last edition. Vendors also reported two-three times the usual sales, with copies disappearing from stands within minutes after arrival.

NoTW staff put a brave face last evening in composing the paper’s last edition. Editor Colin Myler was seen standing on a desk in the paper’s newsroom, thanking his colleagues. He later gave interviews outside the building, once again thanking his colleagues and the 7.5 million readers. The group finally broke, to gather again at a local pub for drinks.

The group’s other tabloid, The Sun, is expected to take NoTW’s place with a Sunday edition. This was neither confirmed nor denied by News International.