VIDEO: U.S. Rep. Braley discusses possible News Corp investigation
U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley appeared on CNN’s American Morning Thursday to further discuss his call for a congressional investigation into Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation.
Bruce Braley
Braley, a Waterloo Democrat, officially requested late Wednesday that U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, who serves as chairman of the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, launch an investigation of the media organization. The request followed reports that News Corporation and its subsidiaries may have bribed foreign law enforcement officials and potentially hacked the phone lines of U.S. citizens. If true, the actions would have been violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which forbids bribery of foreign government officials by U.S.-based companies.
“These reports are very troubling and I believe they require a thorough investigation,” Braley said while announcing his correspondence with Issa. “The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has a duty to protect the privacy of Americans and to hold U.S. corporations accountable – and I expect Chairman Issa to direct the Committee to carry out its duties as they relate to this very serious case.”
The scandal over Murdoch’s News of the World newspaper in London erupted when allegations that its reporters hacked into mobile phone messaging accounts of a young murder victim, politicians and the royal family surfaced. There are additional allegations that the company bribed London police officers to get phone records of the victims of the U.S. 9/11 attacks.
In the Senate chamber California Democrat Barbara Boxer and West Virginia Democrat John Rockefeller have asked U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Securities and Exchange Commission Chairwoman Mary Schapiro to investigate.
U.S. Rep. Peter King, a New York Republican who represents several victims of 9/11, has requested the Federal Bureau of Investigation to seek more information about the scandal.
“When I was a journalism student shortly after Watergate, we were taught that the bedrock of journalism is accuracy, objectivity and ethics. And one of the things that we have seen is a blurring of the distinction between reporting the news, opinion and political advocacy,” Braley said on CNN. “Now it appears that News Corp. is getting into the field of political espionage or personal espionage — and that’s one thing we need to be very concerned about.”
Braley’s appearance on CNN:
Text of Braley’s letter to Issa:
“„As you may know, serious allegations have recently been raised accusing Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation of acting improperly and possibly in violation of United States law.
“„It has been reported that News Corporation and its subsidiaries may have bribed London police officers for information for use in newspaper articles, including information about high-ranking government officials. If true, these charges could be a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) that forbids bribery of foreign government officials by U.S.-based companies.
“„Additionally, News Corporation has already admitted to phone hacking in London, and I have concerns about allegations that hacking may have also extended to U.S. citizens. I ask that you investigate whether victims of the September 11, 2001 attack and other U.S. citizens had their cell phones targeted by News Corporation. Please look into the serious allegations that have been made against News Corporation. We owe it to the American public to find out if victims have been subject to criminal actions by News Corporation and its affiliates.
“„The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has a duty to protect the privacy of Americans and to hold U.S. corporations accountable. I look forward to your response within ten business days regarding an investigation of News Corporation. Thank you for your consideration.
