FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 7, 2010
Contact: Press Office
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MUST READ: Columbus Dispatch: Kasich inspired controversial $1 million donation, Murdoch says

COLUMBUS- Today, the Columbus Dispatch wrote a story that links the News Corp.'s ultra-partisan donation to the Republican Governors Association, quoting FOX CEO Rupert Murdoch as saying he made the massive contribution to the group because of his close friendship with Kasich. Excerpts from the story follow:

“A $1 million donation to a group that is bashing Gov. Ted Strickland on behalf of Republican John Kasich was inspired by Kasich's friendship with the donor, Rupert Murdoch, Politico is reporting this morning.”

"Murdoch is head of News Corp., which includes Fox News, where Kasich worked as a commentator and host for several years.

"Murdoch was asked last night whether the million-dollar gift to the Republican Governors Association affected the perception of ‘fair and balanced’ Fox News.

"’It doesn’t reflect on Fox News,’ he said, according to Politico. ‘It had nothing to do with Fox News. The RGA (gift) was actually (a result of) my friendship with John Kasich.’

…

“The Democratic Governors Association - which has run anti-Kasich spots - filed a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission accusing Fox of an illegal in-kind donation to Kasich because it showed a link to the Republican's web site while he was on The O’Reilly Factor. However, the DGA later withdrew that complaint.

“News Corp. also has given $1 million to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which traditionally support Republican candidates. Murdoch told POLITICO he expected one of the donations to become public, but not both.

“‘The RGA we did,’ he said. ‘We didn’t expect the other one.’”

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Read full article here.