THE Australian Broadcasting Authority has concluded that News Corp is not in a position to exercise control of the free-to-air Seven Network after the conclusion of a 10-month investigation. The investigation was prompted by suspicions that News Corp may have influenced the resignation of Seven’s then-chairman, Ivan Deveson. The regulator also investigated the relationship between Seven’s major shareholders – News Corp, Telstra and Kerry Stokes – and was concerned that News Corp and Seven may have acted jointly to obtain sports rights.