However, Ofcom's inquiry concluded that BSkyB was a "fit and proper" company to hold a broadcasting licence.
In a statement earlier, BSkyB said it remained a "fit and proper" holder of a broadcasting licence.
There is also a review being conducted by Ofcom, the media regulator, of whether British Sky Broadcasting is fit and proper to continue holding a broadcasting licence.
Ofcom had been reviewing whether pay-TV company BSkyB, which is 39% owned by News Corp, was "fit and proper" to hold a broadcasting licence in the wake of the scandal.
Not only had they been threatened with the loss of their broadcasting licence, said Mr Bravo, but he and his family had received anonymous death threats traced to a state security agency.
The culture secretary said he recognised the need for changes to merger rules but added that safeguards were already in place to check whether an individual was suitable to hold a broadcasting licence.
One potentially significant benefit is that BSkyB would be distanced from the British newspapers where the alleged lawbreaking took place - and so the risk of Ofcom stripping BSkyB of its broadcasting licence would presumably be diminished.
Meanwhile Britain's TV regulator, Ofcom, is formally investigating whether the Murdochs are fit and proper people to hold a broadcasting licence, and unlike the MPs' Ofcom's verdict (which may not come for months) does have the force of law.
There is also a potential conflict of interest for James Murdoch, were he to remain chairman of BSkyB, in that Ofcom, the media regulator, has said that it may have to review whether BSkyB is a fit-and-proper holder of a broadcasting licence, in the light of the disclosures of alleged systematic malpractices at the News of the World, the Sunday tabloid closed by News International eight days ago.
Do those who argue for 'better together' have anything to say about the future of Scottish broadcasting, of the licence fee, and of the BBC?
He has since refused to expand on his decision, but it is believed that he had become unhappy with the SPL's decision not to take legal action to prevent Celtic broadcasting matches without a licence or to inform the other clubs of its reasons.
DCMS, which will be led by Tessa Jowell, also covers the National Lottery, export licensing of cultural goods, broadcasting (it oversees the BBC's licence fee settlement) film, press freedom and tourism.
Jeremy Hunt, the shadow culture secretary, who is highly regarded by the Tory leadership, supports the licence fee as part of a mixed economy for broadcasting, along with advertising and subscriptions.
The winning bidders could, in theory, sub-licence the rights to another broadcaster, meaning that theoretically Setanta could end up broadcasting Premier League football in the coming season - though analysts say this is unlikely.
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