Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom (CPBF)

for diverse, democratic and accountable media

for diverse, democratic and accountable media

The case against the Fox/ Sky merger grows

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“Modern Slavery event” by Foreign and Commonwealth Office is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Sometime this week we should be hearing from Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, The Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP about whether or not she has decided to refer 21st Century Fox's bid to acquire the portion of Sky PLC it doesn't already own to Ofcom on public interest grounds. She has already said that she is 'minded to'. In the last week the case again the bid … [Read more...]

Sky bid – Bradley ‘minded’ to order Ofcom investigation

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“Rupert Murdoch 2011 Shankbone” by David Shankbone is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley has said she is “minded” to order an Ofcom investigation into the planned £11.7 billion takeover of broadcaster Sky by Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox, over concerns about competition and broadcasting standards. Such a decision would not block the deal but would kick off an Ofcom investigation into public interests considerations. She said … [Read more...]

Murdoch’s lobbying efforts are increasing, new analysis finds

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Media Reform Coalition

by Media Reform Coalition Analysis by Media Reform Coalition and 38 Degrees suggests that Murdoch’s lobbying of government intensified ahead of the recent government consultation on the Leveson Inquiry and the announcement by Murdoch’s renewed bidto take over Sky. Between April 2015 and September 2016, senior News Corp executives met with government ministers or their … [Read more...]

Sky and 21st Century Fox agree £18.5bn takeover deal

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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...]

Former PM demands delay to Murdoch bid

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Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

by 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...]

Stop Murdoch Now

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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...]

Murdoch bids for Sky

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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...]

Get empowered at the Media Democracy Festival

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In the UK, a handful of giant corporations control the nation’s TV channels, news outlets, radio stations, search engines and social media platforms. This has given wealthy individuals and organisations huge political and economic power and enabled them to distort the media landscape to suit their interests and personal views. Urgent reform is needed to reclaim the media in the … [Read more...]

Support the Newsquest strikers: defend local news

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by NUJ news release Today (13 October) is the first day of a week-long strike organised by NUJ members working for Newsquest South London. The strike is in response to devastating cuts proposals - Newsquest has put its entire south London newsroom on notice of redundancy, bar the managing editor and the web editor. The company want to make these job cuts by mid-October. They … [Read more...]