Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has asked for further documentation from News Group relating to the infamous hacking scandals, as it seeks to establish whether pay TV broadcaster BSkyB is a 'fit and proper' broadcasting licence holder.
The documentation the broadcast regulator wants to see relates to the civil cases of phone hacking.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
News Corp is also the largest shareholder of British Satellite Broadcasting (BSkyB), and last year launched a takeover bid for the company; Ofcom was opposed to News Corp taking full control of the satellite broadcaster but was over-ruled by Jeremy Hunt, the minister at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, who is facing calls for his resignation after appearing to be overly helpful to News Corp as the US corporation sought to overcome regulatory hurdles to its bid for the UK company.
Ofcom said in a statement: "Ofcom is gathering evidence which may assist it in assessing whether BSkyB is and remains fit and proper to continue to hold its broadcast licences.
"As part of this ongoing assessment, Ofcom has contacted News Group Newspapers requesting documents which it understands are held by the company and which may be relevant to this assessment.
"BSkyB is party to this correspondence."
Ofcom's request is the first real indication that the dodgy goings-on at News of the World are a factor in Ofcom's deliberation over whether BSkyB should continue to hold a broadcasting licence.
The BBC's business editor, Robert Peston, has said this could force News Corp to reduce its stake in BSkyB in an effort to reduce the appearance of its material influence over the company.
NR
-
Would you delay retirement to help your children through university?Parents are missing out on as much as £45,000 that could have gone into their pensions because they are using that money to pay their children’s way through university, according to new research
-
Family face £100k stamp duty bill after avoidance scheme crashes in court – the mistakes to avoidA couple faces a substantial stamp duty bill after trying to reduce the amount they owed
