Lewis: Labour will not hesitate to expose hypocrisy
Ivan Lewis, shadow culture, media and sport secretary, writes in the Guardian concerning the government’s intervention over News Corp’s planned takeover of BskyB:
“The government’s claim to be serving the national interest will be put to the test as it makes crucial decisions with profound implications for the future of the media in Britain.
“Rupert Murdoch and BSkyB have been a force for good in improving the quality of broadcasting for British consumers and stimulating investment in our creative industries. But the Murdoch empire has sometimes crossed reasonable boundaries with overzealous business practices and the assertion of political power.
“While News Corp asserts that Britain’s impartiality rules mean Sky News could never adopt a political agenda akin to Fox News, there remains a real concern about the selection of news, which in itself can significantly distort coverage.
“Labour will stand up for the public interest without fear or favour. If the government does likewise and fulfils its obligation to transparency at every stage of due process, it will have our support.
“If it seeks a political fix in Downing Street, with guests visiting through the front or back door, we will not hesitate to expose the hypocrisy of its claim to be acting in the national interest.”
