Huw L. Hopkins

Master of journalism, Bachelor of the written word

He leans too far to the right to be Labour, and annoys his own backbenchers for implementing policy that aren't traditionally held party beliefs. His record abroad is impressive, but at home, much of the country has taken a dislike to Tony Blair... what you thought I was talking about David Cameron?

Scott Capurro

Comic, actor and author

Why is the media so anxious about phone tapping? I would love if someone as powerful as Rupert Murdoch gave a sh*t about what I say.

David Prescott

Director of Commucan, Former BBC Editor

When the News of the World closed down, you'd think after playing a small part in its downfall, I'd be happy.

Des Freedman

Reader in Communications in the Department of Media and Communications at Goldsmiths, University of London

This week we are likely to see yet more drama and revelations in the sage that is the Leveson Inquiry as the prime minister's former spin doctor Andy Coulson and former Sun editor and horse owner Rebekah Brooks take the stand. You may be starting to tire of the blanket coverage but please don't switch off just yet. There are big issues at stake.

Hugh Salmon

Surprising human insights from the big, wide world

I cannot believe our politicians have only just realised that the role of government in a capitalist society is the most fundamental problem they need to solve.

Alex Andreou

Greek-born, Alex Andreou is a lawyer-turned-economist-turned-actor-turned-political blogger and consequently disoriented

I was as bemused as any man when I heard of Antony Worrall Thompson's arrest... But my very next thought was of Nicolas Robinson. He is the 23-year-old who was arrested for stealing water worth £3.50 from Lidl during the London Riots.

Martin Moore

Director of the Media Standards Trust

How different the world looked for the Murdochs last Christmas. The BSkyB decision had just been withdrawn from Vince Cable. It now looked as though their bid would go through on the nod. Once approved this would allow the Murdoch dynasty to straddle Britain's media like a gloating colossus, dwarfing the BBC and all other commercial competitors. Politically they would be untouchable.

Sarah Cawood

Broadcaster, voice over artist, blogger, tipster, entrepreneur, and chutney maker

It was a big weekend for Little Mix this weekend. Winning the X Factor, being considered for the Olympics opening ceremony... I just hope that they are having the chance to stop and take stock a little, to smell the roses, to enjoy being at the centre of such an incredible experience because it may be over all too soon...

Andrew Wigley

Charity Worker & Postgraduate Student

Corporate culture is established through leadership. If lessons are to be learnt from NewsCorp's misconduct, then perhaps attention is focused first on the board room and not the news room.

Julian Kossoff

Award-winning editor and journalist

Somewhere in a not so far off galaxy called Murdoch the final battle has commenced. The Death Star - emblazoned with the huge but now flickering News Corp insignia - is under sustained attack from the rebel alliance. Huge plumes of flames erupt (bonfires of the vanities, surely) from the crippled leviathan as missiles of truth pierce its thick hull built from a composite of money, power, corruption and arrogance, once thought indestructible.

Martin Lewis

British-born, Hollywood-based humorist, commentator, producer and radio host

The least I can do for an old mucker in trouble is proffer a little free curbside advice. What David Cameron needs right now is some crisis management.

Collette Walsh

Writer, broadcaster & social commentator

While some were terribly in awe of Brooks and Coulson, a lot of us recognised even then that they had sold their souls to Murdoch. Now, they are paying the price.

Martin Lewis

British-born, Hollywood-based humorist, commentator, producer and radio host

Murdoch's smarts told him that he could profit mightily if only there was a permanent Conservative government in power in the UK. But how to do that when working class people selfishly insisted on voting for their own economic interests rather than those of Rupert? BINGO! It suddenly hit Rupert. Find a way to seduce working class people away from their natural instincts.

Francis Hoar

Barrister, writes on law reform and blogs on politics

Truly, this relationship has damaged our governance. It has infected every Party and made it ever more difficult to make complex but essential arguments on behalf of those unable to defend themselves against the mob. The tabloid press, its campaigns, its lack of ethics, its use of emotive rhetoric to advance its causes and its influence on government has changed our democracy for the worse. It is the responsibility of all political Parties, not just the government of the day, to turn their back on cheap tabloid headlines and act, for once, in the public interest.

Clare Algar

Executive Director of Reprieve

The cycle of revelation, outrage, inquiry and whitewash has become depressingly familiar. You should care about the torture inquiry - even if only to make it clear to the Government that you won't allow them to bury the hacking inquiry in the same way.

Chantelle Osili

Television presenter, journalist and comedian.

It's fair to say that the strength of Ed Miliband's attack on News International during last Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions caught most political spectators by surprise. Amidst headlines of scandal and skulduggery, the Labour leader took a calculated risk to challenge the most powerful man in media. Could Miliband's surprising show of principles mark the beginning of a power shift - and a possible turnaround in his fortunes?