In 'The Hack,' David Tennant Tackles British Phone-Tapping Scandal

Fifteen years ago, the British tabloid News of the World, known for its sensational revelations, shut down amidst a phone-hacking scandal. This closure followed revelations that the newspaper had illegally accessed the voicemails of various prominent individuals.

An investigation by The Guardian uncovered that the tabloid had systematically hacked into the voicemail systems of public figures, including members of the royal family, politicians, and even relatives of victims from the 2005 London bombings. This practice formed the basis of many of its stories.

The scandal led to seven police investigations and nearly 40 convictions. It significantly impacted the reputation of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, affected Scotland Yard, and cast a shadow over the administration of then-Prime Minister David Cameron, whose director of communications was the former deputy editor of News of the World, Andy Coulson. The affair also eroded public confidence in journalistic integrity.