Speaking generally, he added: “We have an ongoing duty to be satisfied
that holders of our broadcasting licenses are fit and proper, and that duty is a legal obligation from the Broadcasting Act, and it’s something we take very seriously.”
“In considering whether any licensee is fit and proper, we would take into account any
relevant misconduct of those who manage and control a broadcast licensee,” he said.
Tom Watson, the deputy leader of the opposition Labour Party, said in a statement
that it “is important that full and proper process is followed in the assessment of this bid.”
“I have consistently argued Ofcom must consider the serious
and systemic corporate governance failures at Fox as part of its inquiry into whether the company should be allowed to take full control of Sky,” he added.
U. K. Delays Review of 21st Century Fox Deal for Sky -
By DANNY HAKIM and STEPHEN CASTLEAPRIL 21, 2017
LONDON — Britain postponed on Friday its regulatory review of 21st Century Fox’s proposal to take full control
of the British satellite television giant Sky until after the country’s general election in June.
“The conduct of senior executives at Fox and their consistent failure to meet corporate governance standards in the recent
past has a direct bearing on whether it is a suitable owner of one of the U. K.’s most powerful broadcasters.”
A spokeswoman for 21st Century Fox pointed to previous statements by the company.
