The announcement by News Corp. that it would be closing News of the World in response to allegations that the British tabloid engaged in phone hacking and possible criminal behavior will no doubt be received with joy by the countless detractors of Rupert Murdoch. But before celebrations begin, one question should be raised: Is it actually good news that a 168-year-old newspaper with 3.7 million readers is going out of business?
Even a tabloid specializing in gossip and innuendo that epitomizes Fleet Street journalism? Whatever else he has done, Murdoch has put considerable resources behind print journalism at a time when its very existence is in jeopardy.