The Spotlight of Truth Shining on Public Life

The UK is not the only country where corruption and malpractice in the media is rife and, in this present era of transparency, it is inevitable that it will be revealed in a most public way. 

The process has begun as one paper in the Murdoch Empire stands accused of systemic phone-tapping in order to obtain salacious stories, but it is likely that official inquiries will discover that the practice is endemic in the whole industry. Just as politicians and priests thought they were above the law, so too did, or do, many journalists, and simultaneously with these revelations we are learning how some police men and women also abused positions of trust, knowingly breaking the law or condoning it happening by others. In every walk of life there are, of course, individuals who fail themselves and others, but I am talking here about rampant, widespread malpractice.

The time for cover-ups has come to an end, and the searching spotlight of truth will shine in every corner of public life to reveal what may be shocking. Subterfuge, deception, lies, manipulation, arrogance, unkindness, cruelty……..there are learnings here for all of us about the world around us, and also about our own natures perhaps. 

No doubt, as the light shines into those nooks and crannies, many people, perhaps like Andy Coulson (past Editor of the News of the World and then Communications Director to David Cameron), will be regretting what they did and will be wondering how they came to be part of it. It is easy to get caught up in a prevailing culture of distorted priorities based on ego and hard, sometimes to see what is occurring and withdraw. There but for the grace of God go you and I. 

Whether you are a victim or an observer, please do not judge what you hear or delight in the frailties of others, but welcome the opportunities that are given to root out what does not serve, and to move forward in a new and better way. It is good.