Rupert Murdoch’s problems in the US have grown exponentially


8:30 am - July 14th 2011

by Sunny Hundal    


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Yesterday I reported that a US Senator had called for regulators to examine whether News Corporation had broken any laws. And there is chance he could have. Yesterday evening another Senator joined that list.

Now it has gotten much worse. And later today or tomorrow, we launch our own campaign with allies in the US to push for the SEC and the DOJ to look at whether News Corporation has broken any US laws.

By this morning the number of US Senators who want an enquiry into News Corporation stands at four.

The first was West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller. Then, New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg, who said in a statement:

The limited information already reported in this case raises serious questions about the legality of the conduct of News Corporation and its subsidiaries under the FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act). Further investigation may reveal that current reports only scratch the surface of the problem at News Corporation. Accordingly, I am requesting that DOJ and the SEC examine these circumstances and determine whether U.S. laws have been violated.

Then came California Senator Barbara Boxer, also asking whether News Corp broke the FCPA. And finally, New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez has asked the DOJ to investigate the alleged phone hacking of 9/11 victims.

The alleged phone-hacking of 9/11 victims is the most toxic one.

It has prompted even the first Republican figure (Representative Pete King) to demand an enquiry.

As I see it, I would expect more things to be coming out over the next several weeks. And as we approach 9/11, the tenth anniversary, it’s even going to get worse.

News Corporation could even face an FBI investigation – King has written to the FBI Director, demanding that journalists should face felony charges if the allegations are proven true.

There’s no guarantee the SEC, DOJ or FBI will open these investigations yet; that might require more public and political pressure.

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About the author
Sunny Hundal is editor of LC. Also: on Twitter, at Pickled Politics and Guardian CIF.
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Reader comments


1. Cherub

Theres an interesting analysis in Reuters here: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/13/us-newscorp-rico-idUSTRE76C5RG20110713

They suggest that somebody could sue in a securities case or that he could suffer under anti-bribery laws, but nothing under racketeering would work. I’m not sure about how this relates to your analysis. Presumably the anti-bribery law is the one you cite?

This is interesting too (http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/14/us-newscorp-brand-idUSTRE76C7HP20110714). It is the usual conservative alaysis by Reuters, but the US political complexion is interesting. It suggests that a wider attack on News Corp is likely to break down along party lines and that Republicans would fall behind Fox News especially.

2. Matthew Steeples

The empty vessels make the loudest sound now. With Lord Black, Pandora Maxwell and Chris Bryant on his back, Rupert Murdoch will finally get some sympathy: http://dasteepsspeaks.blogspot.com/2011/07/empty-vessel-makes-loudest-sound.html


Reactions: Twitter, blogs
  1. Liberal Conspiracy

    Rupert Murdoch's problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  2. Clive Burgess

    Rupert Murdoch's problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  3. get_her_groove

    Rupert Murdoch's problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  4. Ian Statham

    Rupert Murdoch's problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  5. Paul Burgin

    Rupert Murdoch's problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  6. Paul Burgin

    Rupert Murdoch's problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  7. Nicola Chan

    Rupert Murdoch's problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  8. Nicola Chan

    Rupert Murdoch's problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  9. sunny hundal

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  10. sunny hundal

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  11. Celtic crusader

    Rupert Murdoch's problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  12. Celtic crusader

    Rupert Murdoch's problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  13. Paul Burgin

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  14. Paul Burgin

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  15. Alan Gillespie

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  16. Alan Gillespie

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  17. Clinton McRobert

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  18. Clinton McRobert

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  19. Chris Merle

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  20. Chris Merle

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  21. Darren Hanson

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  22. Darren Hanson

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  23. annaarrowsmith

    Brilliant! RT @sunny_hundal: Murdoch’s problems r definitively in US. 4 Senators and 1 Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  24. Mike Simpson

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  25. Paul

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  26. HazeW

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  27. vicki whelan

    Rupert Murdoch's problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  28. Missy

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  29. gregchivs

    RT @libcon: Rupert Murdoch's problems in the US have grown exponentially http://t.co/oo9H7Yq

  30. Stew Wilson

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  31. Ben Folley

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  32. CAROLE JONES

    Rupert Murdoch's problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  33. Richard JB Kay

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  34. Rangeeni

    Rupert Murdoch's problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  35. The Sun-Tabloid Lies

    Rupert Murdochs' problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE (by @libcon) #Sun #media

  36. Praterstrasse

    Rupert Murdoch’s problems in the US have grown exponentially | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/X3gKJBU via @libcon

  37. sunny hundal

    Politico also has a big piece on Rupert Murdoch's troubles crossing over to the US http://politi.co/qDmNpN / Me earlier http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  38. TheBiPolarBearMD

    Politico also has a big piece on Rupert Murdoch's troubles crossing over to the US http://politi.co/qDmNpN / Me earlier http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  39. A Sanguinarius

    Politico also has a big piece on Rupert Murdoch's troubles crossing over to the US http://politi.co/qDmNpN / Me earlier http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  40. Shamir Patel

    Politico also has a big piece on Rupert Murdoch's troubles crossing over to the US http://politi.co/qDmNpN / Me earlier http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  41. Ferret Dave

    Politico also has a big piece on Rupert Murdoch's troubles crossing over to the US http://politi.co/qDmNpN / Me earlier http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  42. Owen Blacker

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  43. Nicolas Chinardet

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  44. Clint David Samuel

    Rupert Murdoch's problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  45. Maria M.

    Politico also has a big piece on Rupert Murdoch's troubles crossing over to the US http://politi.co/qDmNpN / Me earlier http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  46. Syma

    Murdoch’s problems have definitively crossed the pond. FOUR Senators and one Republican lawmaker want enquiry http://bit.ly/q23wnE

  47. How badly will the FBI investigation hurt Murdoch? | Liberal Conspiracy

    […] the FBI investigation hurt Murdoch? by Sunny Hundal     July 15, 2011 at 12:11 am I said this morning at least one Republican Representative (that number has now grown) and one Democrat Senator were […]

  48. Matt

    Rupert Murdochs' problems in the US have grown exponentially http://bit.ly/q23wnE (by @libcon) #Sun #media

  49. Portia A. Boulger

    Rupert Murdoch’s problems in the US have grown exponentially | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/h4sWcx7 via @libcon





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