Phone-Hacking Scandal at News Corporation

Will Lewis, currently the publisher of the Washington Post, found himself at the center of a crisis in 2011 while working for Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation. As an executive, he was tasked with assisting the police detectives investigating a British phone-hacking scandal that implicated the company’s journalists and top leaders.

Suspicions and Obstacles

Confidential documents obtained by The New York Times and insights from individuals involved in the criminal investigation reveal that the London Metropolitan Police harbored suspicions about News Corporation’s motives early on. Investigators grew wary of Will Lewis’s role, perceiving him as a hindrance rather than a help in navigating the crisis. The police believed that News Corp. was attempting to manipulate the investigation in its favor by deflecting blame onto a select few individuals while shielding others from scrutiny.

Deletion of Key Evidence

Scotland Yard investigators were taken aback when they discovered that News Corporation had deleted millions of internal emails despite explicit requests from both a lawyer representing an alleged phone hacking victim and the police to preserve any documents relevant to the case. This deletion of potentially crucial evidence raised serious concerns about the company’s transparency and cooperation with the authorities.

Reporters at the tabloid, owned by News Corporation, had resorted to unethical practices such as paying public officials and eavesdropping on the voicemails of prominent figures including royals, politicians, and celebrities. The scandal not only tarnished the reputation of the publication but also cast a shadow over the entire media conglomerate.