Family of murdered schoolgirl meets UK gov't - Article Example

?Article Article Family of murdered schoolgirl meets UK gov't s The Associated Press Journal/Periodical: Bloomberg Businessweek Publication Date and Page Number(s): July 11, 2011 Article Abstract: The article entitled “Family of murdered schoolgirl meets UK gov't” written by the Associated Press and published in the Bloomberg Businessweek on the 11th of July, 2011 proffered issues pertinent to the scandal involving News of the World tabloid, owned by Rupert Murdoch. The report revealed that Dowler family members of a murdered 13-year old girl named Milly Dowler in 2002 met with Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, and was demanding the resignation of News International's chief executive, Rebekah Brooks, who was spearheading the report of the incident during that time. The gist of the report indicates that “the scandal exploded last week when it was reported that the newspaper had hacked the phone of the 13-year-old murder victim in 2002 -- even as her family were frantically searching for her. The tabloid's operatives reportedly deleted some messages from the phone's voicemail, giving the girl's parents false hope that she was still alive” (Associated Press, 2011, par. 3). The article likewise provided information that Brooks had no knowledge of the alleged phone hacking. The scandal paved the way for the closure of the New of the World weekly paper after a remarkable 168 years’ span. Further, the Associated Press was revealed to advise that the $19 billion negotiations currently being forged to take full control of the British Sky Broadcasting (BSB), a satellite broadcaster, has been jeopardized by the incident. As acknowledged, “Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who is responsible for dealing with the proposed bid, said he would seek advice as to whether the scandal raises questions over whether News Corp. is "fit and proper" to hold a broadcasting license” (Associated Press, 2011, par. 12). Apparently, Murdoch was revealed to publicly support Brooks, despite the allegations. Impression: One’s personal contention on the article is that authorized government agencies must make appropriate investigations to uncover the facts of the allegations to bring light to the truth. Several news sites have reported the scandal and the public is entitled to be given full transparency to issues that touch on ethical dilemmas and corporate social responsibility. The Associated Press was cited to aver that “the 80-year-old Murdoch, the News Corp. CEO, has publicly backed News International's chief executive, Rebekah Brooks, who led News of the World when its reporters committed some of the most egregious ethical lapses” (Associated Press, 2011, par. 16). The news organizations are expected to adhere to the highest standards of adherence to ethical codes and moral discipline due to the nature of the service they provide to the public. Transparency and truth are the ultimate considerations when reporting incidents, despite the controversial natures of the events. Not only do the public expect reports to be delivered in the most objective manner, free of biases; but more importantly, all personnel connected with news organizations must be committed to ethical codes of conduct and responsibility to society. There is some disagreement in terms of Murdoch’s public view of support for Brooks who is still being questioned and investigated in terms of full knowledge on the phone hacking incident. As the Chairman and CEO of News Corporation, Murdoch should have exercised objectivity and maintained a neutral stance while the case is being investigation. By initially publicly supporting Brooks, despite their years of business relationship as colleagues, any compromising outcome could add injury to the situation. Further, I agree to the need to closely evaluate the move of according full control for Murdoch to own and operate the BSB. Crucial stakeholders such as investors and the public are more entitled to a corporate governance health-check of the board in the wake of the News Corporation’s phone hacking scandal. Relationship: The article is relevant and crucial in terms of the ability of contemporary organizations to adhere to ethical behavior and social responsibility. In this case, both the government, as an organizational entity and one of the largest news organizations, need to make decisions in the light of the current scandal that besieged the news industry. Several business topics are touched and encompassed from the article, to wit: making profits in the dynamic business environment, demanding ethical and socially responsible behavior, and keeping the best employees, among others. The issues raised were predominantly focused on business ethics and social responsibility in terms of weighing issues such as violating privacy, confidentiality and discerning the need for transparency and truth. The contentions made by “the tabloid's operatives (who) reportedly deleted some messages from the phone's voicemail, giving the girl's parents false hope that she was still alive” (Associated Press, 2011, par. 3) was definitely unacceptable using ethical and moral standards. Further, the extent of knowledge to this practice by higher management need to be established and confirmed to determine the rationale for tolerating it and determine accountabilities to impose sanctions, as required. The messages relayed from the article reveal the extend of unethical and social misbehavior that is allegedly being covered-up at the expense of generating profits and being number one in the industry. Further, the issues delve into human resources management’s ability to detect, monitor and impose corrective measures on erring personnel and if it is indeed worth it to keep these kinds of employees in exchange for financial success. Chapter/topic Association: Upon closer review, the topics that were associated with the article are: 1. Taking Risks and Making Profits within the Dynamic Business Environment; 3. Demanding Ethical and Socially Responsible Behavior; 4. How to Form a Business; 6. Adapting Organizations to Meet Today’s Markets; and 8. Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees. All business endeavors face risks, as well as opportunities posed by the external environment. The article indicated that to capture the opportunities for publishing controversial news, the risks of engaging in unethical behavior were allegedly considered and were eventually uncovered, creating a scandal of unprecedented level. Demanding ethical and socially responsible behavior is actually the main focus of the article. It sent the message for the need to address the dilemma using adherence to ethical and moral standards and compliance with transparency and truth expected by the public and consistent with social responsibility. The topic on adapting organizations to meet today’s markets is likewise discussed in passing as one reflects on the rationale for the incident. In view of fierce competition in the industry, various techniques and tactics are used by correspondents to seemingly get ahead of competitors. Unfortunately, some practices that were uncovered delved into unethical behavior such as phone hacking and covering up, just to get ahead of the league. Finally, at the end of the day, organizations should focus on one of the most important functions of human resources management, i.e., finding and keeping the best employees. However, this should be done by keeping in mind that organizations are bound by their mission and subject to policies and procedures that have been developed incorporating ethical and moral standards, as well as compliance with social and environmental responsibilities. Reference The Associated Press. (2011, July 11). Family of murdered schoolgirl meets UK gov't. Bloomberg Businessweek .Retrieved 30 July 2011. http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9ODC71O0.htm Read More