Wikipedia Blackout

Here is an excellent article from the BBC's technology correspondent about Wikpedia's "blackout" yesterday in protest about proposals for new American Anti-Piracy laws, SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act)and PIPA (Protect IP Act).  Apparently 162 million people experienced the blackout in the last 24 hours (including Nonsuch HP) which has led to some of the politicians who had previously backed the bills becoming rather more reticent. Meanwhile Rupert Murdoch (via twitter) has commented, "Seems blogosphere has succeeded in terrorizing many senators and congressmen who previously committed. Politicians all the same." - make of that what you will!


What's your opinion on the blackout? Was it successful? Please let us know.

No More News of the World

The closure of the News of the World after 166 years has come as a huge shock to the worlds of politics and the media. The Murdoch family have acted swiftly to prevent further scandal engulfing the title, although there has been much speculation as to how quickly it will be before the Sun becomes a 7 day a week newspaper. There is coverage all over the internet this morning. The Guardian, which broke the latest series of revelations on the hacking scandal with its disclosure on Monday that Milly Dowler's phone had been tapped, has produced this interactive timeline of the phone-hacking scandal. Tbere is also coverage of the press' differing reactions to the story - the Times headline shown above is very telling as it is owned by the Murdochs' company. The Independent's headline is very direct - "Newspaper sacrificed to save one woman." - you can read more on this in its opinion leading article here. Clearly the arrest of Andy Coulson, ex-editor of the News of the World and ex-Downing Street communications chief, this morning keeps the story rolling, and keeps the political dimension open.

What is your opinion on all of this? Please let us know.