‘Dangerous levels of concentrated ownership’ in UK media: Just 3 publishers control 90% of print reach

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https://leftfootforward.org/2023/10/dangerous-levels-of-concentrated-ownership-in-uk-media-just-3-publishers-control-90-of-print-reach/

“A free, independent and plural media is essential to the functioning of a healthy democracy.”

Image shows UK newspapers.
Image shows UK newspapers.

Just three companies control 90% of the UK’s national newspaper market, in what’s been labelled a ‘dangerous level of concentrated ownership’ of UK media.

The “Who Owns the UK Media?” 2023 report, published by the Media Reform Coalition at Goldsmiths University, found that three companies – DMG Media, News UK and Reach – control 90% of the UK’s national newspaper market. The three companies also control 40% of online reach.

Press Gazette also reports: “The data suggests that if DMG Media were to succeed in its expected bid to acquire Telegraph Media Group it would increase its print market share from 42% to 47%.

“DMG Media’s share of the online news market is estimated at around 10% looking at just the top-50 UK newsbrands.”

The report warned that the dominance of the three publishers of print and online news, gave them “an unrivalled position for setting the news agenda”.

https://leftfootforward.org/2023/10/dangerous-levels-of-concentrated-ownership-in-uk-media-just-3-publishers-control-90-of-print-reach/

Continue Reading‘Dangerous levels of concentrated ownership’ in UK media: Just 3 publishers control 90% of print reach

Keir Starmer ‘happy’ to continue to write for The Sun despite Liverpool boycott

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Yet another broken promise from Red Tory Keith Starmer should surprise nobody.

https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2023-10-05/keir-starmer-rules-out-reversing-decision-to-cancel-remaining-hs2-project

Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer says he is happy to continue to write and work for The Sun newspaper – as he prepares for his party conference in Liverpool.

During his 2020 leadership campaign, Mr Starmer claimed he would not to speak to The Sun newspaper during a hustings in Liverpool.

He said at the time: “I certainly won’t be giving any interviews to The Sun during the course of this campaign.”

Many people in Liverpool have chosen to boycott The Sun because of a front page it printed shortly after the Hillsborough disaster.

When asked why he has since decided to write for the tabloid, Mr Starmer said: “I have to make sure that what we have to say is communicated to as many people as possible in the time that we’ve got available and that is why I am very happy to work with The Sun, to write for The Sun, to do interviews with The Sun.”

It also means that Keith sucks up to Rupert Murdoch …

Continue ReadingKeir Starmer ‘happy’ to continue to write for The Sun despite Liverpool boycott

Kemi Badenoch failed to declare meeting with Rupert Murdoch

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https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/oct/02/kemi-badenoch-failed-to-declare-meeting-with-rupert-murdoch

Business secretary privately met media mogul in apparent breach of ministerial code of conduct

Kemi Badenoch failed to declare a meeting that she held with Rupert Murdoch days after she was appointed to the cabinet – in a breach of transparency rules.

The business and trade secretary reacted angrily on Monday on social media after it was revealed that she had privately met the media mogul and other executives from his News Corp company in New York in September 2022.

Murdoch was reported by Politico to have questioned Badenoch for 20 minutes in an atmosphere that was said to have been described as akin to a job interview by one of those present.

A government spokesperson described the fact that the meeting with Murdoch was not made public as “an oversight”.

Nevertheless, the failure to declare the meeting appears to have contravened the ministerial code of conduct, which states: “Meetings with newspaper and other media proprietors, editors and senior executives will be published on a quarterly basis, regardless of the purpose of the meeting.”

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/oct/02/kemi-badenoch-failed-to-declare-meeting-with-rupert-murdoch

Continue ReadingKemi Badenoch failed to declare meeting with Rupert Murdoch

‘Climate villain’: scientists say Rupert Murdoch wielded his media empire to sow confusion and doubt

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Image of InBedWithBigOil by Not Here To Be Liked + Hex Prints from Just Stop Oil's You May Find Yourself... art auction. Featuring Rishi Sunak, Fossil Fuels and Rupert Murdoch.
Image of InBedWithBigOil by Not Here To Be Liked + Hex Prints from Just Stop Oil’s You May Find Yourself… art auction. Featuring Rishi Sunak, Fossil Fuels and Rupert Murdoch.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/sep/23/rupert-murdoch-climate-change-denial

The tycoon, who is stepping down from News Corp and Fox, has used his outlets to promote denial and delay action, experts say

Scientists have described the media tycoon Rupert Murdoch as a “climate villain” who has used his television and newspaper empire to promote climate science denial and delay action.

Prof Michael Mann, a climate scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, said Murdoch had been “one of the most destructive forces in modern history when it comes to climate action”.

“He has wielded his global media empire as a cudgel to sow confusion and doubt about the science and the solutions. He will go down in history as one of the greatest climate villains,” said Mann.

Dr Friederike Otto, senior lecturer in climate science at the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, said: “There’s no doubt that the Murdoch empire has played an important role in letting the public believe that there was any scientific doubt that the burning of fossil fuel causes the climate to warm and that it is detrimental for society and ecosystems. It is a terrible legacy he leaves, that many people paid for, and are paying for, with their lives and livelihoods.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/sep/23/rupert-murdoch-climate-change-denial

Image: Boris Johnson confirms his thumbs up from Rupert Murdoch
Boris Johnson confirms his thumbs up to be UK prime minister from Rupert Murdoch
Continue Reading‘Climate villain’: scientists say Rupert Murdoch wielded his media empire to sow confusion and doubt