Submission by the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee Inquiry into Media Pluralism (18 January 2012)

Summary

o Strong cross-ownership rules and clear upper ceilings on the share across media markets are needed. Any supplier with a 15 per cent share in a designated media market should be subject to a public interest test in respect of any merger or acquisition in the same or another media market. Ownership concentration and cross-ownership above the 15% threshold may be permitted subject to organisations meeting certain public interest obligations in their practice. The maximum permitted holding in any of the following designated market should be 30% (national news; regional news on all platforms and in each of the following platforms - radio, television, newspapers, online).

o Ofcom should have concurrent powers to initiate the public interest test rather than control resting exclusively with the Secretary of State.

o Determining media pluralism should involve a combination of quantitative measurement, qualitative assessment, democratic input and oversight. Media ownership regulation needs effective and continuous public consultation built-in so that public interest issues can be addressed by all of those affected.

Download the text of the full submission here