Media threats

With Rupert Murdoch now owning 100 per cent of  BSkyB television, his control over the British media is enormous. Not even Berlusconi’s Italy would allow this to happen, writes The Guardian. And in America, The New York Times expresses concern about internet security.

Too much power

In Britain, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has given media mogul Rupert Murdoch the go-ahead to take over full control of the satellite broadcaster BSkyB. The Guardian questions the wisdom of giving one man so much control over the British media.

... The Australian-born American citizen Rupert Murdoch commands just under 40 per cent of the UK newspaper market, and just under 40 per cent of the vast BSkyB. Now, ... he is set to increase the figure to 100 per cent and to merge the two operations, creating unique opportunities for bundling up paper and TV advertising and sales. Even in Berlusconi’s Italy there are restrictions on broadcasters moving into print. No well-functioning democracy should allow one man to frame its window on the world. ...

Internet leaks

More than 22 million Americans have had their private data stolen through hacking this year, according to the non-profit Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. The most recent hacking victims include Sony, the US senate and the CIA. Hackers have stolen users' passwords and email addresses, publishing them online. The internet is becoming dangerous, but companies and the US government are unprepared, writes The New York Times.

... There is no fail-safe technology that is immune to hacking. Online security will evolve as hackers and security experts work continuously to outwit each other. Still, current standards are too low. Companies — and the government — must devote substantially more resources to security, making it integral to every new application, rather than patching it on as an afterthought. ...