Which is more unethical?
Murdoch newspapers digging up private information from phone records to use against people to increase reader interest in order for the diggers to be rewarded with higher positions and salaries, or,
Murdoch Fox News making up lies about people to use against them to increase watcher interest in order for the liars to be rewarded with higher positions and salaries.
I don't see any difference in using illegally obtained information for personal advancement and using made up lies for personal advancement. They are both, legal or not, unacceptable, unethical, sleazy behavior and are both equally worthy of condemnation.
But, you may have a different opinion.
