Copps Wants FCC Probe Of Wall Street Journal-News Corp. Deal

FCC Commissioner MICHAEL COPPS has formally asked Chairman KEVIN MARTIN to launch an inquiry into NEWS CORP.'s purchase of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. 

COPPS sent a letter to MARTIN on THURSDAY asking for the probe on the basis that it would create crossownership and media concentration in NEW YORK, where NEWS CORP. owns FOX O&O WNYW (TV) (FOX 5), MY NETWORK TV affiliate WWOR-TV (MY 9), and the NEW YORK POST. The FCC has not been involved with the deal because the JOURNAL is considered a national newspaper and not a local NEW YORK daily; precedent in the category includes GANNETT being allowed to own both USA TODAY (based in the VIRGINIA suburbs of WASHINGTON, DC) and CBS affiliate WUSA-TV/WASHINGTON.

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