Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom (CPBF)
for diverse, democratic and accountable media
DCMSPlurality In a statement outlining her decision on the proposed takeover of Sky plc by 21st Century Fox, Inc., Secretary of State for Culture Karen Bradley announced this morning that she is "minded-to refer to a Phase 2 investigation on the grounds of media plurality". You can watch the full video of the statement here. An invitation for representations (deadline 14 … [Read more...]
“Rupert Murdoch 2011 Shankbone” by David Shankbone is licensed under CC BY 2.0It’s a really big moment, Kelvin MacKenzie getting the push from the Sun. Kelvin MacKenzie is one of the last people Rupert Murdoch would want to lose. For more than 30 years – longer than anyone else around him, since Murdoch picked him up from the Daily Express to lead the charge for Thatcherism, reaction and war -- MacKenzie has absolutely personified the Sun. He is pure … [Read more...]
Infamous The Truth front page of The Sun published when now suspended Kelvin MacKenzie was still editor of the paper. Fair use.Kelvin MacKenzie has been suspended from The Sun on the eve of the anniversary of 96 deaths at Hillsborough, making CPBF's Granville Williams' "Truth lies and a 28-year search for justice" for the latest edition of ColdType more pertinent than ever. Before we share Granville's article (below), here is a snippet of the article that led to Kelvin MacKenzie's … [Read more...]
“Rupert Murdoch 2011 Shankbone” by David Shankbone is licensed under CC BY 2.0Culture 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...]
Media Reform Coalitionby 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...]
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...]
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...]
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation is on the move again by completing a £220m deal buying Wireless Group bringing Talksport (with 3m listener a week) and Virgin Radio under his control. The Group which owns The Sun, Times and Sunday Times via News IUK also has a 40% stake in the broadcaster Sky. More at: … [Read more...]