• Listen to this segment

• Listen to the entire program

Rupert Murdoch appeared yesterday with his son James before the British House of Commons Media Select Committee, to be questioned on allegations springing from the phone hacking scandal. Former Chief Executive of Murdoch’s News International, Rebekah Brooks, was also questioned. All three appeared contrite, with Rupert Murdoch interrupting his son in the first minutes of their testimony to interject, “This is the most humble day of my life.” Throughout the hours-long hearing James Murdoch reiterated that he and his family are wholly supportive of all investigations and will provide restitution to phone-hacking victims: The Ministers of Parliament repeatedly asked whether Murdoch employees had lied to a previous committee about the extent of phone hacking. All three executives denied any deception, stating they previously believed misconduct had been isolated and resolved. The MPs were especially interested in the Murdochs’ and Brooks’ friendly relationships with British Prime Ministers. Each confirmed regular visits to Downing Street. Throughout the hearing Murdoch admitted ignorance of the operations and key players at his UK newspapers. While expressing shock and anger at what transpired at his newspapers, the media mogul refused to take the blame. Murdoch also said he was unaware of any investigation in the US by the FBI into hacking of 9/11 victims’ phones, but said he would cooperate if necessary. Yesterday’s hearings followed Monday’s shocking news that a former News of the World reporter and the whistleblower central to the unfolding scandal was found dead at his home. The cause of death so far is “unexplained,” and British authorities say there is no evidence of foul play. Prime Minister David Cameron appeared today before a panel over his relationship to Murdoch.

GUEST: James Hallwood, Researcher with the Fabian Society, Britain’s Leading Left-of-Center think tank, speaking to us from London

Find out more about the Fabian Society at www.fabians.org.uk.