Dems say $1M donation skews media coverage

NEW YORK, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Democrats say media conglomerate News Corp. has inserted itself into U.S. politics with its $1 million donation to the Republican Governors Association.

Campaign finance experts say the contribution by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., parent company of Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, New York Post and other news outlets, is one of the biggest ever given by a media organization, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

News Corp. executives said the priorities of the Republican Governors Association and the association's emphasis on low taxes and economic growth meshed with News Corp.'s concerns.

"News Corp. has always believed in the power of free markets, and organizations like the RGA, which have a pro-business agenda, support our priorities at this most critical time for our economy," company spokesman Jack Horner said.

In an e-mail sent to reporters, the Democratic National Committee said the "Fair and Balanced" tagline of Fox News was "rendered utterly meaningless" by the donation.

Horner said the company's corporate side made the donation. He said its news operation wasn't involved.

"There is a strict wall between business and editorial," he told the Times.