An American group - The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington - has filed a petition with the US Federal Communications Commission, asking them to deny renewal of three Fox TV station licences.
The three Fox TV station licences set to expire in October are WTTG and WDCA in Washington, D.C., and WUTB in Baltimore.
Reporting the move, Adweek said that so far, the FCC had shown no signs that it will be looking into whether News Corp.'s problems in its
British newspapers were relevant to its TV businesses in the U.S.
The same group asked the FCC last May to revoke all 27 licenses.It got no response to that plea.
In its new petition, CREW argued that as the holder of the licences, News Corp., has not served the public interest and that the FCC should hold a hearing to determine whether Fox should remain a licensee.
"It is well-established that News Corp. has been involved in one of the biggest media scandals of all time. Its reporters hacked voicemails and bribed public officials while top executives, including Rupert Murdoch, either approved the conduct or turned a blind eye," said Melanie Sloan, CREW's executive director.
"To say those responsible are not of good character is a colossal understatement; 'despicable and loathsome' are more apt."
The Communications Act says licences can be technically revoked over character issues involving station ownership. But as long as the scandal remains a U.K. one and confined to newspapers, most lawyers say that is a long shot.
Fox declined any comment to Adweek.
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