FOX

The Obama Administration just declared war on "Transnational Organized Crime" (TOC). As emptywheel notes in passing, News Corp fits the definition to a "t".

At the urging of New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg, the Justice Department is reopening its investigation of the hacking of Floorgraphics Inc. (FGI) by its News Corp-owned competitor, News America Marketing Group (NAM).

The investigation is potentially devastating to News Corp because it is their first reported crime in the U.S., and could lead to prosecution of top executives here, as well as stiff penalties against News Corp.

As BNET's Jim Edwards explains, News America set out to destroy Floorgraphics in 1999, according to its lawsuit.

Once upon a time, a TV anchor named Dan Rather ran a story about George W. Bush's desertion from the Texas Air National Guard after just four years - two short of his obligation.

While Rather's chronology was correct, his story relied on a document that turned out to be forged. (The substance of the document has never been refuted. The identity and motive of the forger has never be revealed.) Although Rather did not write the story, he was blamed for failing to vet the document sufficiently, and was soon fired.

CBS was determined to punish everyone who had any responsibility for the editorial error. They brought in Bush family consiglieri, Richard Thornburgh, to conduct a thorough investigation of top executives, which was released in full to the public.

Compare how CBS handled "Rathergate" with how News Corp is handling "Hackgate."

Nailing Rupert Murdoch for his employees' phone tapping or bribery would be a little like bringing down Al Capone for tax fraud, or George W. Bush for torture. I'd be glad to see it happen but there'd still be something perverse about it.

I remember how outraged Americans were in 2005 learning about our government's warrantless spying, or for that matter how furious some of my compatriots become when a census form expects them to reveal how many bathrooms are in their home.

I'm entirely supportive of outrage. I just have larger crimes in mind. Specifically this:

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:
"Article 20
"1. Any propaganda for war shall be prohibited by law."

The Fox News Channel is endless propaganda for war, and various other deadly policies. As Robin Beste points out,

Thursday, July 14 at 12:00pm

Protest FOX News and Rupert Murdoch at his NYC home
Sidewalk across the street from 834 5th Avenue @ 64th St.

RSVP:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=127010964053255

It's the biggest scandal in Britain: Rupert Murdoch's newspapers spied on the Royal Family, celebrities, and politicians - even the Prime Minister.

But that's not all. Murdoch spied on the families of British soldiers killed overseas, on victims of the 7/7 London terror bombings, and even 13-year-old murder victim Milly Dowler.

Even that's not all. Murdoch illegally bribed police officers for crime scoops and to track people's cellphones all around Britain.

And to top it all off, Murdoch may even have spied on 9/11 victims in the USA.

A growing chorus of legal experts and media activists are urging Attorney General Eric Holder to open a criminal investigation of News Corp under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Several activists groups are petitioning Holder directly, including Think Progress and Credo Action.

Last Friday, the Guardian began citing legal experts:

Butler University law professor Mike Koehler, an FCPA expert, said: "I would be very surprised if the US authorities don't become involved in this [NI] conduct."

On July 10, we explained how News Corp's bribery of police in Britain was a crime in the U.S. under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which is strictly enforced by the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC).

In that post, we cited bribes for scoops totaling £130,000. Today, the New York Times reported on two additional forms of police bribes. First, $1600 for the Royal Green Book:

For the past week, coverage of the News of the World scandal has focused on reports of their phone hacking of 13-year-old murder victim Milly Dowler, victims of the 7/7 London terror bombings, and British soldiers killed in Iraq.

These revelations outraged the British public and Parliament, and forced Rupert Murdoch to quickly shut down the largest English-language newspaper in the world - and his personal favorite.

An open letter to FOX News advertisers:

Do you think FOX-linked "investigative reporters" only break the law in Britain?

Meet James O'Keefe.

On January 25, 2010, O'Keefe was arrested at the office of Senator Mary Landrieu on federal felony charges of attempting to maliciously interfere with her official telephone system.

His arrest was reported on the front page of the New York Times. He pled guilty to a lesser charge and was punished.

Proactiv responded to our petitions:

We received a number of emails from your members as a result of your call to boycott Proactiv on your website. We respect your position; however, Guthy-Renker does not endorse, sponsor or support any specific programming on Fox News or any other network. As a direct marketer, our media buying strategy is independent of programming. We make changes to that strategy based on performance; not content. Regarding networks that air political news and commentary specifically, we respect the rights of all individuals to hold opposing beliefs in a democratic society.

Here is our response:

We too respect "the rights of all individuals to hold opposing beliefs in a democratic society."