UK media watchdog Ofcom wants 'to be kept abreast' of investigations into phone-hacking to determine if anyone 'holding a broadcasting licence remains fit and proper to hold those licences'.
The Ofcom position was outlined in a letter from its chief executive Ed Richards to John Whittingdale, the chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in the British Parliament.
He said that Ofcom was 'monitoring the situation closely and in particular the investigations by the relevant authorities into alleged unlawful activities in regard to any evidence or findings of any relevant conduct.
'In this regard, we are writing to the relevant authorities to highlight our duties in relation to 'Fit and Proper' and indicating that we would like to be kept abreast of the timescales of their investigations and of any further information which may assist us in the discharge of our own duties.'
Earlier, it emerged that Britain's Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt is to consider the impact of the News of the World's closure when determining whether News Corp's bid for full control of BSkyB can proceed.
A consultation on News Corp's controversial approach for the satellite broadcaster will conclude today, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said. But a statement said Mr Hunt was likely to take 'some time' to reach a decision.
The department stopped short of giving a precise date - despite reports suggesting a September decision was likely - and added that the Secretary of State 'will take as long as is needed'.
The Culture Secretary paved the way for the deal to go through last month when he agreed beefed-up proposals that will see Sky News run as an independent company to allay fears that the deal would give News Corp too much influence.
But the DCMS has received an unprecedented 100,000 responses to its consultation process - in the previous consultation, the department received 40,000 responses.
The surge in interest came as the phone-hacking scandal at News International and its Sunday tabloid News of the World started to unfold.
The DCMS added that Mr Hunt will take advice from Ofcom and the Office of Fair Trading before reaching his decision. British Labour Party leader Ed Miliband urged the Government yesterday to refer the deal to the Competition Commission in light of recent developments.
The recent furore has caused BSkyB's share price to drop by around 8% this week, wiping more than £500m from its market value as investors worry that the deal may not go through.
News Corp offered 700p a share last year, valuing the company at £12.8 billion, but the board told Mr Murdoch to come back with a higher offer. Since then its share price has boomed on the back of strong results. Even after its share price losses in the past week, the current market value is still £13.6 billion.
