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Star reporter defends his record
Source: Agencies |
December 13, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE star undercover reporter for the now-defunct News of the World tabloid told Britain's media ethics inquiry yesterday that he duped celebrities only to expose criminality, immorality or hypocrisy.
Mazher Mahmood, who worked for the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper for 20 years, said he had not been aware illegal phone hacking was going on until the newspaper's royal reporter, Clive Goodman, was arrested in 2006.
Goodman was jailed for eavesdropping on the mobile phone voicemails of members of the royal family staff.
Mahmood is a controversial figure, nicknamed the "Fake Sheik" after his signature ruse of pretending to be a rich Gulf businessman to trap celebrities, politicians and suspected criminals.
He said his stories had to meet rigorous public interest standards, such as exposing criminality or "moral wrongdoing."
He also said celebrities were fair game "if they present themselves as wholesome characters and trade on that status" while behaving hypocritically.
Prime Minister David Cameron set up the inquiry after it emerged that the News of the World had for years eavesdropped on voicemail messages of celebrities, public figures and crime victims.
It has heard from crime victims and celebrities, including actor Hugh Grant and "Harry Potter" author JK Rowling.
Mahmood was the first of several witness from Murdoch's News International who will defend its practices.
Murdoch closed the title in July.
Mazher Mahmood, who worked for the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper for 20 years, said he had not been aware illegal phone hacking was going on until the newspaper's royal reporter, Clive Goodman, was arrested in 2006.
Goodman was jailed for eavesdropping on the mobile phone voicemails of members of the royal family staff.
Mahmood is a controversial figure, nicknamed the "Fake Sheik" after his signature ruse of pretending to be a rich Gulf businessman to trap celebrities, politicians and suspected criminals.
He said his stories had to meet rigorous public interest standards, such as exposing criminality or "moral wrongdoing."
He also said celebrities were fair game "if they present themselves as wholesome characters and trade on that status" while behaving hypocritically.
Prime Minister David Cameron set up the inquiry after it emerged that the News of the World had for years eavesdropped on voicemail messages of celebrities, public figures and crime victims.
It has heard from crime victims and celebrities, including actor Hugh Grant and "Harry Potter" author JK Rowling.
Mahmood was the first of several witness from Murdoch's News International who will defend its practices.
Murdoch closed the title in July.
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