Like Tribune sale, News. Corp deal will face FCC scrutiny

Regulatory approval will be no "slam dunk" for Murdoch's deal.

"It's interesting to hear the 'experts' claim the transaction faces no regulatory hurdles," said Michael Copps, a Democrat on the FCC. "Not so fast! This deal means more media consolidation and fewer independent voices, and it specifically impacts the local market in New York City."

Copps said the FCC "should immediately conduct a careful factual and legal analysis of the [News Corp.] transaction to determine how it implicates specific FCC rules and our overarching statutory obligation to protect the public interest."

On a related note, yesterday the FCC unveiled 10 new studies on media consolidation and its plan to give the public a 60-day comment period. The studies are drawing criticism from consolidation critics, including Consumers Union and Free Press.