The Media Reform Coalition has long raised concerns about the risks posed by the Fox-Sky merger for media plurality. As such, we broadly and cautiously welcome the interim findings of the Competition and Markets Authority, released today, which highlight the consolidation of media power across platforms which would accrue as a result of the deal. Healthy democracies need … [Read more...]
A Media Reform Agenda for 2018
A fragile government, an embittered citizenry, an emboldened opposition and a media system that’s not fit for purpose – this is the backdrop to the Media Reform Coalition’s agenda for 2018. It’s just over four months since the broadcaster Jon Snow – enraged by the news media’s failure to pre-empt events like the Grenfell Tower fire – laid out the problems facing the UK media … [Read more...]
MRC statement in response to announcement on Fox/Sky merger review
The Culture Secretary Karen Bradley has today stated that she is ‘minded to’ refer the proposed buyout of Sky by 21st Century Fox on plurality grounds, for further review by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Whilst that is welcome news, we are troubled that no substantive concerns have been raised in respect of either broadcasting standards – which includes reference … [Read more...]
A disaster for media plurality: the 21st Century Fox bid for Sky
MRC's submission to Ofcom as part of the latter's investigation into the proposed acquisition of Sky by 21st Century Fox presents new evidence about Sky's influence on the UK media environment together with worrying levels of concentration in the wholesale news market. The submission further underlines Sky’s uniquely wide penetration across television, radio and … [Read more...]
Barack Obama takes on Rupert Murdoch, the last media baron
This article originally appeared at the Daily Mirror. President Obama has had enough of Rupert Murdoch. His target is the right-wing media mogul's Fox News - the ultra-conservative TV news channel whose presenters openly compare America's first black president to Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein. Exasperated by the constant stream of televised attacks, Obama has hit … [Read more...]
Two faces of Rupert Murdoch – here’s our comment
Remember our post on the two faces of Rupert Murdoch, presented without comment, in which we compared the mogul's letter to News Corporation in July 2011 to comments caught on tape during a meeting with the Sun staff in February this year? With the tapes resulting in Murdoch yet again being summoned to appear before the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee and investigated … [Read more...]
Professor James Curran: “We want to shrink the media moguls”
This post was originally written by Joe Sandler Clarke at the Huffington Post, and is reprinted with their kind permission. Two more Sun journalists were charged by police last month. Jamie Pyatt, a reporter, and John Edwards, the tabloid's pictures editor, were charged with allegedly making payments in excess of £30,000 to public officials. They face trial on July … [Read more...]