News of the World

 IT was a salacious scandal sheet for which real news had long left centre stage.

This is how with some justification some people will remember the 'News of the World.'

But in amongst all the froth and sauce were some great examples of excellent and courageous journalism – the work of so many fine reporters, photographers, editors and sub editors who have worked on the paper during the past 168 years.

There can hardly be anyone with journalism in their blood that does not shed a tear for its passing.

It is very harsh that the current crop of journalists and other staff are paying a very high price for the misdemeanours of a relatively small number of people in the past which is not to play down the seriousness of what was done.

The irony is that with so many papers put out of business through the loss of readers and advertisers 'The News of the World' was a great commercial success.

But much more than that the newspaper was for millions of people over many generations as much a part of Sunday as a joint of beef and afternoon snooze.

For the future it is highly unlikely that the Murdoch Empire will walk away from the lucrative Sunday tabloid market.

Expect a 'Sunday Sun' and then when the dust has died down and the legal cases resolved don't be too surprised if 'The News of the World' rises from the ashes with a re-launch.