First James Murdoch and the Rupert Murdoch will testify before the Leveson inquiry this Tuesday (JM) and Wednesday And Thursday (RM).
While it is not guaranteed that it will be a popcorn worthy event--the majority of British commentators are pessimistic on that score--it will certainly be worth watching.
Times, places, some background on the Leveson Inquiry, links to the Guardian live blog and tweets, and a few of the most interesting (IMHO) Guardian articles follow below the orange squiggly-do.
When: The Leveson inquiries are held Monday to Thursday between 10am and 4:30pm with a break for lunch between 1 and 2pm.
All times are British Summer Time (BST) +0100 UTC
Where: the testimony is streamed from the Leveson site.
Stream
The Guardian live blogs the testimony, with related tweets, as for today's example here.
Guardian blog
Or the tweets all by their lonely.
Guardian Leveson tweets
What: the testimony the Murdochs are about to give is in part one of a judicial inquiry called the Leveson Inquiry established by the Prime Minister. It is not a trial, although witnesses are being examined by lawyers and the High Court Justice (named Leveson) under oath and their witness statements entered into the record. After part one of the inquiry, Leveson will issue a report,
In the second, law breaking by News International and other media will be examined:
the extent of unlawful or improper conduct within News International, other media organisations or other organisations. It will also consider the extent to which any relevant police force investigated allegations relating to News International, and whether the police received corrupt payments or were otherwise complicit in misconduct.
N.b. and why popcorn purchases should be spaced out--part 2 only comes after any criminal prosecutions are finished--and so far, no charges have been brought.
Leveson explained
The difference between these appearances and those before the MP's Media committee are many and important. Unlike the Ms' appearance before the MPs, this time they are answering questions under oath, with the risk of perjury attached. They will be questioned by not a members from the three parties (who may or may not have been lawyers in previous jobs), but by a 'Silk' or QC, a barrister who specializes in trial defence or prosecution and is serving for the government's inquiry and by the Judge, when he so desires. Both are sharp questioners, and have forced witnesses who have tried claims of plausible deniability or made false or incomplete statements to 'come clean' .
The lead QC is Robert Jay, along with his distinctive cool yellow spectacles, has recently been profiled here:
Robert Jay
Two views of what might or should 'go down' from many are here:
Michael Wolff, the RM biographer's more or less favorable to RM prediction:
Wolff
and Nick Davies, the Guardian's fearless pursuer and breaker of the phone hacking story's list of allegations that should be addressed:
Guardian's main man's wish list of questions for JM
For those who want it all, the Guardian's media page:
More Guardian
I'll be in and out this evening EDT to answer questions.