It's Twitter wot won it: Social Networking and the end of (News of) the World

By Iram Ramzan

“The News of the World is closing. It's Twitter Wot Won It! But this won't stop us Murdoch.”

That was the tweet sent by John Prescott, moments after James Murdoch sensationally announced just hours ago that News International would be closing down the News of the World after this Sunday’s edition.

Murdoch told employees at the 168-year-old title: "The News of the World is in the business of holding others to account. But it failed to when it came to itself".

Rumours are already floating around cyberspace that the Sun could be turned into a seven-day operation.

The internet domain name thesunonsunday.co.uk was registered two days ago, although the purchaser's identity is unclear.

Fishy? Oh you are a cyncical lot…

Labour leader Ed Miliband was quick on the mark today in his BBC interview. Never one to miss a political opportunity, he said: “It's a big act but I don't think it solves the real issues. One of the people who's remaining in her job is the chief executive of News International who was the editor at the time of the hacking of Milly Dowler's phone."

I’m sure he believes Murdoch acted in a ‘reckless and provocative manner at a time when negotiations are still going on’.

Mini-Murdoch, wearing his Harry Potter-esque glasses, said in his statement earlier: “The Company paid out-of-court settlements approved by me. I now know that I did not have a complete picture when I did so. This was wrong and is a matter of serious regret”.

Bless his little cotton socks.

Elsewhere, Rebekah Brooks is blaming the Guardian for her downfall, while the mob is calling for her head to be presented on a silver platter

Nicknamed ‘Medusa’ by many (ok fine, the Guardian’s Steve Bell) she was reported to have told staff at a ‘tearful’ meeting: “The Guardian newspaper were out to get us, and they got us”.

Yes Rebekah, it was nothing to do with NOTW’s underhanded, shameful techniques that gave journalists everywhere a bad name.

It’s those damn liberal, left-wing loonies that are out to destroy the very fabric of society.                                                                                                                                    

But Murdoch (both Senior and Mini-Me) seem to be satisfied with Brooks’ denials of any knowledge of all these wrong-doing that were happening right under her nose.

And maybe they’re right, maybe she truly didn’t know.

Or perhaps she has a collection of Murdoch voodoo dolls in her office, along with several incriminating photos. 

REACTIONS TO THE STORY

Twitter exploded earlier with thousands tweeting their feelings on the news. Here are some of my favourite tweets.

Editor of News of the World Colin Myler: "Saddest day of my professional career."

Jonathan Freedland @j_freedland

What exactly is the hold Rebekah Brooks has over the Murdochs that makes them so reluctant to let her go? #notw

Paul Mason @paulmasonnews

#notw This is like cutting your leg off when trapped in railway points...but it's the wrong leg...

AngryBritain.com @AngryBritain

I already knew the #NOTW was closing. I was hacking their phones.

Sali Hughes @salihughes

Can't believe Rebekah stays and an entire paper goes. Ridiculous.

Stephen Davies @stedavies

I've made a complaint to the #notw by leaving a message on my voicemail.

Sarah Walton @SarahWaltonBBC

Just woke up from a nap and NoW is being shut down! How long was I asleep for?

Omid Djalili  @omid9

Doesn't Rebekah Brooks have fabulous hair? My political hat is in the ring bitches

Bryony Gordon @bryony_gordon

What I want to know is: what does Grant Mitchell think of all of this? #notw

popslags @popslags

Sigh. If only the Daily Mail had been the ones doing the hacking... #notw

Thomas Parry @tomosp

Sorry to hear about the death of the news of the world. I'm off to hack into the phones of it's relatives to hear how they're coping. #notw

Adam Medlycott @AdMedders

Bye bye #NOTW, now just to get rid of #TheSun

Fat Fonzi @Fatfonzi

if #notw is first horcrux, who's the snake? Where's the diary? #voldemurdoch

NOTW STAFF

Even the staff were quick to log in and tweet their reactions to the news.

Tina Campanella @LittleBell1982

Just lost my job on the News of the World. Absolutely devastated that a talented group of people are suffering right now...

Tom Latchem @theboylatch

Thanks for all your kind words all - we will all survive, nobody died. Viva NOTW!!

Ruth Gledhill @RuthieGledhill

Now I am crying. sobbing. OMG. I cannot believe what I have just read in my inbox. oh it is so sad...#notw – religion correspondent for The Times