Was Times leant on to change “neck & neck” to “Cameron nicks it”?

[Anarcho-Socialist]

The Times newspaper, owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, changed the front page of today’s paper from earlier editions, which read “Neck and neck” to the final London edition, where the headline was “Cameron nicks it” – while all the time using the same similar polling evidence.



David Cameron’s narrow lead over Nick Clegg – 37 per cent to 36 per cent – falls within the margin of error. Closer analysis of the post-debate Populus poll shows only a seven-vote lead out of a sample of 1,067 – 392 to 385 (36.7 per cent to 36.1 per cent), with Gordon Brown on 290 (27.2 per cent). The change of headline raises the question once more of proprietorial influence in News Corp’s stable.

Today’s Independent reports that The Sun spiked a poll showing voters feared a Liberal Democrat government less than a Conservative one. Only 21 per cent of those polled would be dismayed if a Liberal Democrat administration were formed, compared to 45 per cent for the Tories.

And it’s not just his own papers Murdoch is seeking to dictate to, the Indy itself falling victim to Murdoch’s wrath. Today’s Mirror reports how James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks “invaded the Independent’s offices after the newspaper attacked David Cameron’s backroom deal with US-based mogul Rupert Murdoch”.http://www.leftfootforward.org/2010/04/was-times-leant-on-to-change-neck-neck-to-cameron-nicks-it/

[LeftishBrit]

1. Wouldn't surprise me. Sounds par for the course for the lovely Rupert.