Press 'Omerta': how newspapers' failure to report the phone hacking scandal exposed the limitations of media accountability

Explanations for the non-reporting of the phone hacking scandal need to delve beyond simplistic, if valid, assertions of industry cover-up. In order to explain why the majority of national newspapers failed to regard phone hacking as newsworthy, it is necessary to unpick a tangled web of contributing factors. This book chapter explores competing professional, political and commercial interests; the failure of other organisations - particularly the Metropolitan Police - to investigate the matter thoroughly; and the intimidating power of News International.