Surely your leftie friends wouldn't have read the News of the World in the first place?
Hmm, looks like TMB beat me to the same point, so I'll answer your question instead. I think it's a little excessive to say that tabloid newspapers and journalists are scum, I just have a very low opinion of the focus and content of what they publish. However, practices like hacking phonelines to gain sensitive information is in incredibly poor taste.

Alt: 12
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:08, 2 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

It's illegal as well.
But then so's bribing a copper and they all do that.
(PsychoChomp, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:09, Reply)

Yep.
I guess they would argue that "it's important that this information isn't kept from the public," or something like that, neatly forgetting to mention that that's the reason we have a Freedom of Information Act.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:11, Reply)

I don't think it's excessive to say they are scum
People like Kelvin McKenzie and Rebekah Wade, I personally think they are revolting human beings and would not shed a single tear if they got raped and murdered.
(Bazongaloid, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:10, Reply)

Oh, certain individuals among them are absolutely vile people.
The objectionable octogenarian cunt that owns them all is another prime example.

But I'm sure they're not all bad. The Sun has some ladies who work for it and they have nice boobies. I'm sure they're not scum.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:13, Reply)

I'm not convinced actually
everyone knows what sort of newspapers they are, and consequently anyone who takes a job at those papers is culpable of scum by proxy, even if they personally claim to be "a nice person"
(Bazongaloid, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:19, Reply)

It's the whole "Is it ok to swear at cold calling call centre monkeys?"
The answer is a definite yes. You work for scum, you are scum.
( djtrialprice, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:23, Reply)

Ah come one, they're only annoying!

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:26, Reply)

Scum, bastard lizardy scum. Every last one.

( djtrialprice, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:30, Reply)

Except lizards are really nice and cute
Tuataras *squeeeee*
( djtrialprice, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:31, Reply)

*is noble*

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:48, Reply)

Reading "News in Briefs" in loud RP while clutching a pint of ale
makes for a pleasing first-pint-of-the-day-down-the-local ritual though, I find.
(BrianHequator was stretching owls, on, or around, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:24, Reply)

I'd quite enjoy knowing KM was being burned alive.

( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:15, Reply)

what about tears of laughter?
and songs of joy
( djtrialprice, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:20, Reply)

songs of joy and tears of laughter are all we need to lift our hearts...
Russ Abbott?
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:23, Reply)

Yep
Was he one of yours?
( djtrialprice, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:23, Reply)

I was about to say "NO, one of yours."
Then I remembered "See You Jimmy" was a character.
I think he's northern but in no way scouse.
Why were you singing that theme tune?
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:25, Reply)

No I meant one of your exes like Can't Shave, Won't Dave
Read what I was replying to, it should be obvious.
( djtrialprice, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:28, Reply)

I don't have a clue what you're on about, dear.

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Tue 5 Jul 2011, 12:48, Reply)