The News of the World saga inevitably dominated the issue. It was right for such a story to be the focus. The Times clearly and impartially described what is a fast-evolving and complex story. Discussing the wider issue of British media and its flirts with high politics was an impressive example of quality journalism.
It was, however, perhaps a bit unnecessary to devote nine pages to the phone-hacking scandal. The paper could have been forgiven if it had paid more attention to the other big story, South Sudan’s independence. The emergence of the new country won only a half-page report. With the Sudanese civil war being a complicated and long running story, I was thirsty for a more comprehensive analysis. The Cambridges’ royal visit to Canada had appropriate coverage. It was respectful without adopting an overly pro-Kate stance. The full spread on the follies of Communism in China was fascinating. It was a compassionate and clear-cut account of a story not well known.
The article on the last US shuttle launch was a well-considered commentary on the pros and cons of government-led space exploration. It did duck the question that has become the elephant in the room: does a reduced interest in space exploration mark the beginning of the end of the US reign as a super power?