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BSkyB fears 'Foxisation' by Murdoch

BSkyB have made it clear that editorial independence, particularly of its news channel, will be an important factor in a deal with News Corp. News Corporation has faced criticism for the partisan Fox News channel, which broadcasts with a strong Republican bias. Earlier this year, there was a flurry of speculation about the channel's future after Matthew Freud, Rupert Murdoch's son-in-law and powerful public relations executive, said that the Murdoch family were "embarrassed" and "sickened" by the channel.

Last week, News Corporation was preparing a bid for the proportion of BSkyB it does not already own. The 700p-a-share offer values BSkyB at £12.6bn, a figure described as significantly undervaluing the asset by the BSkyB board. Nicholas Ferguson, deputy chairman of BSkyB, said no figure below 800p is acceptable. News Corporation sources said they would not change the formula that has allowed Sky's news channel to compete successfully with the BBC.

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