Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom (CPBF)
for diverse, democratic and accountable media
Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.comby Gary Herman The fuss about fake news and post-truth politics reminds me of the fact that the country Donald Trump will soon begin to govern bears the name of a fraudulent explorer whose fake records of his adventures on the far side of the Atlantic were picked up by an early cartographer with an eye for a marketing opportunity. And so, Amerigo Vespucci's name went down in … [Read more...]
English PENThe IFJ/EFJ, English Pen and other trade unions and press freedom organisations have called for the immediate release of leading investigative journalist Ahmet Sik, who was taken into custody in Istanbul on 29 December. Following his detention Ahmet Şık has now been charged. He is accused of making terrorist propaganda for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the … [Read more...]
LAWARNby CFOI news release A new legal block on the disclosure of information about NHS safety investigations will fuel public suspicion of cover-ups and protect poor quality inquiries from scrutiny, says the Campaign for Freedom of Information. The Department of Health has proposed new arrangements for investigating serious hospital safety incidents. The aim is to encourage … [Read more...]
by Source BBC News web site An ex-Crimewatch presenter and phone-hacking victim is launching a legal challenge to test the government's commitment to press regulation. Jacqui Hames wants judicial review of the decision by the culture secretary to consult on whether to go ahead with part two of the Leveson Inquiry. “Leveson 2" would examine relationships between police and … [Read more...]
by BBC news web site Broadcaster Sky and 21st Century Fox have reached agreement on the terms of a takeover deal it was announced lunchtime. Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox will pay £11.7bn for the 61% stake it does not already own. Sky shareholders will receive £10.75 in cash for each share, valuing the entire company at £18.5bn. The deal comes amid concerns that Rupert … [Read more...]
Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Imagesby The Guardian Gordon Brown has demanded that Rupert Murdoch’s takeover of the Sky satellite business be delayed until the government carries out the second part of the Leveson inquiry into press malpractice. In a letter to the culture secretary, Karen Bradley, the former prime minister said the bid by Murdoch-controlled 21st Century Fox for Sky made the “promised but … [Read more...]
by Barry White On 16 February 2013 in my blog ‘Journalists trusted as little as bankers’ I reported the results of a Ipso/MORI poll which reported that journalists and bankers were trusted by just 21% of the people. The bottom group at 18% was taken by politicians. You would have thought that post the Leveson Inquiry, public perception of journalism might have improved. In … [Read more...]
Murdoch's first attempt to buy out Britain’s monopoly satellite broadcasting platform in 2011 was defeated by the unravelling 'phone hacking scandal and a mass campaign. Now Murdoch is trying once again to consolidate his grip on the UK media in a move on Sky that was announced late last Friday afternoon, (see previous story). Culture Secreary Karen Bradley MP now has less than … [Read more...]
by BBC News web site US media giant 21st Century Fox has made a takeover approach for Sky that values the UK-based satellite broadcaster at £18.5bn. The proposed offer is worth £10.75 a share in cash, a premium of 36% to the closing price on 8 December. Sky shares ended 26.6% higher at 999.8p in London following the announcement. Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch controls 21st … [Read more...]
by NUJ news release The NUJ has responded to the news, reported in the Guardian today, that the British public service television broadcaster Channel 4 has an entirely white and predominately male oversight board. Although this is not unique when Channel 4 is compared to other media organisations, it is a stain on the media industry that it remains consistently … [Read more...]