The News of the World scandal has rightly caused public outcry, but should we really be surprised?

Whether we choose to admit it or not, or individually attempt to dissociate ourselves with “the public at large”, it’s a fact that tabloids (in particular) only publish what the masses want to read.

One might try to argue (badly) that — much like the mountain that has to be climbed because it’s there — people only read the salacious celebrity gossip and other trash reporting synonymous with these newspapers because that’s what they provide.

Unfortunately, that position just doesn’t wash. The public (in general) want to know about the private lives of the rich and famous. Though papers like the News of the World like to claim that they broke some important stories — and in fact, throughout their history, that is true — the fact is their mainstay is gossip and tittle-tattle.

The public wants, and the public gets.

As the debate surrounding the role, rights and responsibilities of the media continues, some comments speak volumes about the murky world of tabloid journalism.

In a BBC Newsnight interview, the News of the World’s Deputy Features Editor (1994-2001), Paul McMullan, said, “I’ve always tried to write articles in a truthful way, and what better source of getting the truth is to listen to someone’s messages.”

It’s not difficult for a reasonable person to see a difference between pursuing a celebrity and hacking the phones of ordinary men and women (particularly those experiencing personal tragedy). Yet it takes a certain type of person to overstep the line from public to private when pursuing a story.

Though we are rightly abhorred that journalists and private investigators hacked the voicemail of Milly Dowler, 7/7 victims and the families of dead soldiers, why should be surprised that people willing to point an 800mm lens towards someone’s bedroom to scoop a photo might have gutter morals?

Not all journalists are bad. Most are very good. Some sully the profession and, hopefully, will be properly dealt with.

Last week there was a call for a boycott of the News of the World. Now we know that tomorrow’s edition will be its last, there are predictions for record sales.

If the Sun on Sunday materialises, as many believe it will, it’s likely to be picked up by most of NoW’s current readership. Yet The Sun hardly has an exemplary record.

The public revolts. The public forgets.

The next bit of hard-hitting gossip and in-depth reportage of scandal will have a majority of the populous glued to the tabloids again.

Of course, many of us will not forget. And we’ll continue to put pressure on the media, the politicians and the police until things improve.

“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke.

Only when the public at large decides it’s not interested in the tabloids’ current fare will we see a change in what editors deem to be in the public interest.