Groups, including the group Citizens for Responsibility and ethics in Washington have been urging the FCC to pull the broadcasting licenses of the FOX broadcasting Company. FOX's parent company News Corp. is embroiled in a phone hacking scandal in the United Kingdom. Last week, a UK Parliamentary Select Committee report stated that Murdoch, the owner of news Corp.was unfit to run a major international business.

Because of this, and Washington, FOX is being scrutinized and its licensing being questioned.

During a Senate appropriations subcommittee hearing on Wednesday Sen. Frank Lautenburg, a Democrat from New Jersey, asked Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski during his testimony before the subcommittee, whether he plans to do anything about the allegations against FOX. In reply, Genachowski said that it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment on a specific case, but that the commission is, “certainly aware of the serious issues that have been raised in the United Kingdom.” Genachowski added, “if any issues arise, the commission has an obligation, we would take it very seriously, look at the record, look at the facts and apply the law.”

Democrat from West Virginia, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, who is the chairman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee wrote a letter to the British committee that is investigating the scandal in the United Kingdom and asked that that committee provide any evidence that they uncover pertaining to the violation of any US laws by News Corp.

Because news Corp. FOX’s parent company is headquartered in New York, federal prosecutors could build a strong case under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, because of that company’s illegal payments to police, as well as members of the military, the government and other public organizations in the United Kingdom. Eric Holder, the US Atty. Gen., launched a preliminary investigation and News Corp. activities last July.

News International, the publishing division of News Corp., has come under the scrutiny of the US Securities and Exchange Commission as well. The SEC has taken interest because News International is alleged to have used false names and company records and accounts to disguise the recipients of bribes from journalists.

United Kingdom’s media ethics inquiry which is currently taking place, is examining the often too-cozy relationship between British politicians and the country’s press. Peter Osborne, the chief political commentator the Daily Telegraph, stated that he had been told by sources that Rebekah Brooks, the former editor of the News of the World tabloid, the scandal ridden newspaper owned by news Corp., and Prime Minister David Cameron traded e-mails up to a dozen times a day. In the coming days those e-mails could be published on the Internet. those e-mails may be embarrassing and potentially fatal to Cameron’s career.

As a result of the investigation by Great Britain’s House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, that committee condemned Rupert Murdoch as ” not a fit person to exercise stewardship of the major international company.” That committee also pointed out that both Rupert Murdoch and his son James Murdoch turned a blind eye to the list of illicit activities at News Corp.

Because of that, CREW, along with CREDO Action, Nell Minnow of GMI Ratings, Public Citizen, and West Virginia Citizen Action Group has sent a letter to the House and Senate Commerce Committees pointing out that under US law, broadcast frequencies may only be used by people of good “character,” who will serve “the public interest,” and speak with “cander.” Significant character deficiencies may warrant disqualification from holding a license. That letter, dated May 8, can be read here.

CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan stated, “The House of Commons report makes clear that both Rupert and James Murdoch were complicit in New Corp.’s illegal activities. If the Murdochs don’t meet the British standards of character test, it is hard to see how they can meet the American standard.”

“News Corp. has a pattern of outrageous and illegal conduct, including bribery, wire fraud, computer, and phone hacking,” continued Sloan. “If the FCC won’t act to revoke Fox’s broadcast licenses, Congress should immediately hold hearings. Retaining U.S. broadcast licenses is a privilege, not a right.”

Last week, CREW also sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski asking the FCC to revoke the 27 Fox broadcast licenses News Corp. holds in the United States.

CREDO has also began circulating a petition to revoke Fox’s broadcasting licenses, it can be seen here.