Britain says Fox bid for Sky risks giving Murdoch too much power

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters




Thu Jun 29, 2017 | 9:20am EDT

By Paul Sandle and Kate Holton | LONDON
Britain intends to subject Rupert Murdoch's takeover of European pay-TV group Sky (SKYB.L) to a lengthy in-depth investigation after finding the $14.8 billion deal risks giving the media mogul too much power over the news agenda.

Media Secretary Karen Bradley said she was persuaded that Twenty-First Century Fox's (FOXA.O) bid could give the Murdoch family too much influence over the media, after regulator Ofcom assessed the impact of the deal.

"The proposed entity would have the third largest total reach of any news provider - lower only than the BBC and ITN - and would, uniquely, span news coverage on television, radio, in newspapers and online," Bradley said.

Murdoch, 86, and his family have long coveted full control of Sky, despite the damaging failure of a previous attempt in 2011 when their British newspaper business became embroiled in a phone-hacking scandal which forced them to abandon that bid.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-sky-m-a-fox-idUSKBN19K1D9

[Mickju]

1. Could they really be stupid enough to allow this?

[mwooldri]

2. If it did go through...

... Sky News would get extra regulations to follow. Just to make sure it is as impartial as the BBC or ITV.

Labour isn't for it, and The Sun is Murdoch's unfiltered mouthpiece. I can't read the actions of this government, after all it's hands are full with Brexit. I perceive more inquiries and if enough Tory wets oppose the move then it'll get scuttled under something obscure.