Murdoch Sky deal set for watchdog verdict
By Peter Wozniak
Media regulator Ofcom will pass judgment tomorrow on News Corp’s controversial takeover of broadcaster BSkyB.
It is expected that the watchdog will recommend the matter’s referral to a further, more in-depth inquiry by the Competition Commission.
The task will then fall to culture secretary Jeremy Hunt, who took over responsibility for the takeover bid from Vince Cable.
The business secretary’s unfortunate remarks to undercover journalists stating he had “declared war” on Rupert Murdoch left his position as an impartial adjudicator of the bid in tatters.
David Cameron and Nick Clegg promptly stripped him of his media competition responsibilities as a result.
Labour’s attempt to bring Mr Hunt’s own impartiality on the matter into question by highlighting remarks he had previously made on the issue were dismissed by the Cabinet secretary Gus O’Donnell.
Ofcom has been considering whether News Corp’s intention to take 100% control of the broadcaster will damage media plurality in the UK, facing calls from an unlikely alliance of rival media groups including those behind the BBC, the Daily Telegraph and the Guardian to oppose the deal.
After the delivery of the watchdog’s conclusions tomorrow, Mr Hunt will have ten days to make a decision on any further action.
But even if the matter is referred to the Competition Commission for a longer inquiry, there is no obligation for the Conservative to follow its findings.
The day before Mr Cable lost his remit, the takeover bid was judged by the European Commission not to threaten media competition within the EU, but the final decision rests with Mr Hunt.
