In that case, most large American corporations should be in the dock, then (no names mentioned, but you know who you are and they are out to get you.)

Yeah, if they have broken British law, they would be hauled before the beak, as quite a few have been this last week, but Parliament doesn't normally do that, they leave it to the law. I suspect, rather like your... what is it again... "Legislative, Judicial and Executive". Parliament is the Legislative part, the Government is the Executive, and the law enforcement (courts) are the Judicial. The Commons (Lower House of Parliament) Media Committee are meeting to look at whether the legislation under which people can own media companies needs to be reviewed. Murdoch could have just buggered off back to US or Australia and refused to attend.

I suspect that he still has designs on BskyB, so thinks it will be better to "face it out" and hope that future legislation is not introduced that will prevent people like him from owning 60% of the British news media like he does in Australia. Had he continued with his bid to buy 100% of BskyB (Britain's biggest - indeed, only satellite broadcaster), the Government would almost certainly have wanted to investigate whether News International (the British arm of News Corporation) was "fit and proper" to own such a large portion of British news media.

Whilst the allegations against them are still allegations (not yet proven), he would have had a much rougher ride than he is probably expecting now that he has withdrawn the bid.

I just hope that he doesn't get off so lightly in his second home, and hope that his first home look into his corporation's activities over there in the Antipodes, too. Wherever there's an arsehole, you will probably find shit.

John


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