Action calls on the government to investigate Rupert Murdoch

**Sky deal shouldn’t be a Christmas present, say campaigners**

Campaigners dressed up as Theresa May and Rupert Murdoch today called on the government to investigate the Murdochs before they approve the new takeover bid for Sky by 21st Century Fox. The action outside Parliament showed the Prime Minister, dressed as Santa, deciding whether to give Murdoch a Christmas present of a large TV with Sky’s logo, wrapped in red ribbons.

Alex Wilks, Avaaz Campaign Director, said: "Rupert Murdoch claims he's cleaned up his act and should be allowed to take over Sky TV, but the public aren't convinced. People want the government to investigate Murdoch fully, not hand him control of even more of our media."

Last week Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox bid to buy the 61% of Sky it does not already own. The action outside Parliament comes as the government considers whether to refer Rupert Murdoch’s Sky bid to an official watchdog to look at whether Murdoch already owns too much of the British media, and if he is a ‘fit and proper’ person to take full control of Sky.

In the few days since the formal bid was announced, some 45,000 citizens have signed an Avaaz petition calling on the government to act. The petition expresses concern about the massive influence Murdoch has over our government and society, and argues that he is not a fit and proper media owner, as the phone hacking scandal showed. The petition also asks the government to ensure the second part of the Leveson Inquiry into the media takes place, to bring alleged corruption of the police and other public institutions into the open.

The government has yet to respond to the bid or the campaign.

Pictures of the action can be seen here.