BATTLE OF THE NETWORKS . . . THE PEACOCK STRIKES AT THE FOX

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NBC officials complained to the FCC today thatTV's Fox Networkis violating federal rules prohibiting foreign ownership of broadcast stations. In 1986, Australia-based News Corp. put up much of the money for the acquisition of six TV stations in Washington, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Houston and went on to build the so-called "Fourth Network" around those outlets. NBC claims that Fox is violating federal rules that limit a foreign company or individual from owning more than 25 percent of a broadcast property. NBC's complaint follows a similar petition by the NAACP, which said that Fox's foreign ownership structure denied opportunities to U.S. minorities. Fox officials deny wrongdoing, saying that Rupert Murdoch, who controls News Corp. and became a U.S. citizen in order to buy the stations, now owns 76 percent of the network's voting rights.Post your opinion on theNew Mediabulletin board.