Topic: Phone Hacking

The hosts discuss common inaccuracies in television depictions of technology, such as the "90-second trace" for phone calls. They criticize shows like NCIS for depicting hackers guessing complex passwords based on personal details like a pet's name. They contrast these tropes with the more realistic "human hacking" shown in the series Mr. Robot.

A viral clip from PBS features a man in Syria claiming to charge cell phones using a glass of water and two Duracell batteries. The method involves soaking batteries for thirty minutes and then placing a USB adapter into the water to initiate a charge. The hosts dismiss the claim as scientifically impossible and criticize the PBS presenter for accepting the "ingenious" idea without skepticism.

The Leveson Inquiry in the United Kingdom has recommended the creation of a non-industry regulatory body to oversee the press, with the power to issue fines up to $500,000. Prime Minister David Cameron has indicated a willingness to accept the findings, which stem from the widespread phone-hacking scandal. Critics warn that this move grants the government unprecedented control over the media, potentially threatening press freedom in "Gitmo Nation East."

A UK parliamentary committee declares Rupert Murdoch "not fit" to lead an international company. Conservative MP Louise Mensch later clarifies that the "not fit" language was a partisan addition not supported by evidence, as no committee member could prove the Murdochs had misled Parliament.

Piers Morgan testified via video link before a British tribunal regarding his knowledge of phone hacking during his tenure as a tabloid editor. The "hacking" often involved simply using default factory passcodes to access celebrity voicemails. Critics argue the intense media focus on Morgan and celebrities like Hugh Grant serves as a distraction from the much larger issue of state-sponsored mass surveillance and data collection by governments.

Piers Morgan's alleged involvement in the British phone hacking scandal is discussed following testimony in the Leveson Inquiry. Former editors describe a culture of paying for tips and "nicking" private photographs, including images of Carla Bruni. The hosts contrast the public outrage over celebrity privacy with the general acceptance of government surveillance in the UK.

Criticism is directed at C-SPAN for broadcasting British parliamentary committee hearings regarding the Rupert Murdoch phone hacking scandal. The argument is made that C-SPAN should focus exclusively on the United States government rather than international proceedings.

The Rupert Murdoch phone hacking scandal is framed as a proxy battle between MI6 and the CIA rather than a simple journalistic ethics issue. While the press focuses on the Murdoch case, there is a lack of equivalent public concern regarding American phone tracking under the FISA and Patriot Act. Family discussions in Armonk suggest that MI6's influence has been declining recently.

Piers Morgan faces renewed scrutiny over his knowledge of phone hacking during his time as a tabloid editor following the release of an old interview transcript. The technical simplicity of accessing mobile voicemails via caller ID spoofing is discussed, alongside the cultural differences in voicemail usage between the UK and the US.

Curry criticizes C-SPAN for broadcasting British parliamentary hearings instead of focusing on United States government activities. He argues that the UK phone hacking scandal is being used as a distraction from domestic budget issues. The hosts suggest that C-SPAN is neglecting its primary duty to monitor the American government.

The hosts theorize that the UK phone hacking scandal is actually a proxy war between intelligence agencies like MI6, the CIA, and the FBI. They criticize mainstream media outlets like NPR and the New York Times for their enthusiastic coverage of the scandal. The segment also touches on David Cameron's use of the Americanism "the buck stops here."

The resignation of News Corp CEO Rebecca Brooks and the ongoing phone hacking scandal involving the News of the World newspaper dominate the media landscape. A BBC interview with Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, the second-largest shareholder of News Corp, reveals his insistence on full cooperation with the British government's commission. The discussion explores the potential for the scandal to be an orchestrated effort to force Rupert Murdoch out of the UK media market and the withdrawal of the News Corp bid for B-Sky-B.

The term "blagging" is highlighted after being used in the UK Parliament to describe the act of obtaining information through deception or impersonation. The hosts discuss the nuances of the word, which has become a common descriptor for the tactics used in the British phone hacking scandal. They contrast the term with "blogging" and explore its specific cultural context in British law enforcement and media.

Prime Minister David Cameron called for a complete overhaul of UK press regulation following the News of the World phone-hacking scandal and the arrest of former editor Andy Coulson. The hosts speculate that this crisis will lead to a government-mandated licensing system for journalists in the United Kingdom.

The closure of the "News of the World" newspaper amid a phone-hacking scandal is discussed as a strategic move by Rupert Murdoch. The hosts argue the scandal was leveraged by rivals and the government to block Murdoch's acquisition of B Sky B. They explain the simple technical methods used to hack voicemails and the public outcry following the hacking of a murdered teenager's phone.

Rupert Murdoch's News Corp is facing multiple lawsuits in the UK following revelations that journalists at "The Sun" and other outlets hacked the voicemails of politicians and celebrities. The scandal has exposed widespread privacy intrusions and raised questions about the influence of the Murdoch media empire over British public life.