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Murdoch Disputes ’60 Minutes’ Talk: A report that Murdoch, chairman of Fox Inc., asked the executive producer of “60 Minutes” about buying the top-rated news show has it backward, Murdoch said. It was the CBS executive who suggested it, Murdoch said, adding that he thought the comment was a joke. Murdoch’s Fox TV group has conducted spectacular raids of CBS, winning rights to National Football League telecasts and taking over eight CBS affiliate stations. But the sale of a network TV news magazine would be unprecedented. New York Newsday reported that Don Hewitt, who founded “60 Minutes” and has led it through three decades, said Murdoch asked him if “CBS would entertain the thought of selling ’60 Minutes.’ ” However, Murdoch said in a statement issued by his publicist that it was Hewitt who brought up the subject. Murdoch said he considered it a joke made during a friendly conversation.