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U.S. to investigate Murdoch empire?

The scandal surrounding Rupert Murdoch’s media empire may spread across the pond.
Rupert Murdoch photographed in London today.
Rupert Murdoch photographed in London today.

The scandal surrounding Rupert Murdoch’s media empire may spread across the pond. Today, CREW — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington — called on U.S. lawmakers to “investigate whether journalists working for Rupert Murdoch’s News International (NI), owned by News Corp., have hacked into the voicemail of Americans.”

Fox News, The New York Post and the Wall Street Journal are Murdoch’s main stateside news operations.

In a press release, CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan said, “It is becoming increasingly clear this scandal was not perpetrated by a few rogue reporters, but was systematically orchestrated at the highest levels of News Corp.” She went on, “If Mr. Murdoch’s employees can be so brazen as to target the British prime minister, then it is not unreasonable to believe they also might hack into the voicemails of American politicians and citizens.”

Reports surfaced today former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown may have been the victim of hacking by two additional newspapers under News Corp. The company allegedly tried to access the leader’s bank account and his son's medical records. He joins the growing list of royals, celebrities, politicians, police officers and murder victims who may have been targeted.

No word yet on whether Congress will take up the issue.