Paul McMullan, a former deputy features editor at News of The world, gave evidence to the UK media inquiry on Tuesday. What he said took my breath away – both for the beliefs he holds, and his audacity in voicing them to the inquiry.

Between them, two articles from different sides of the world give a pretty good picture of the man and his beliefs:
The Age: ‘Privacy is for paedos’: The world according to Paul

The New York Times: British Inquiry Is Told Hacking Is Worthy Tool

Some quotes…

‘Most people from the tabloid world have reacted to the revelations in the manner of Renault when discussing gambling in “Casablanca,” saying they are “shocked, shocked.” But Mr. McMullan veered so far in the other direction that at times he sounded like a satirist’s rendition of an amoral tabloid hack.’ (New York Times)

“In 21 years of invading people’s privacy I’ve never found anybody doing any good. Privacy is for paedos.” (The Age)

‘“Circulation defines the public interest,” he said, which meant that everything was legitimate as long as the public bought the paper.’ (The Age)

I imagine that McMullan’s views are extreme, but they are still very troubling, and can only reinforce general mistrust of the media. They do make it easier to understand what happened at News of the World, though.