Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Nicholas Winterton (Conservative), on Monday, 15 June 1998, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 20 members in total.

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PLURALITY AND DIVERSITY OF OWNERSHIP IN THE MEDIA

That this House endorses the Government policy to promote plurality and diversity of ownership in the media industries; welcomes the recent success of Talk Radio, which following a failed original dumbed-down shock jock format has now developed a successful niche in the broadcast spectrum providing an opportunity for millions of listeners to participate in debate on public policy and current affairs; notes that this new approach and the promotion of the concept of democracy direct has dramatically increased the size of the station's audience and corresponding advertising revenues; views with concern the reports that News International/BskyB companies are now included in a consortium mounting a bid for the station; notes that a successful bid would give Mr Rupert Murdoch and his associates control of one of only three independent national radio stations in the United Kingdom, and of the only such station providing a speech-based output; observes that the consortium, if successful, would also be guaranteed access to digital capacity and would have the potential to exercise control over the digital commercial radio multiplex; believes that such a major move further to consolidate Mr Murdoch's influence in the United Kingdom media industries should not be allowed to proceed without further public and parliamentary debate; and urges the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to liaise with the President of the Board of Trade to prevent such a bid proceeding unless and until the implications for competition policy have been fully considered by this House.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received an amendment.

PLURALITY AND DIVERSITY OF OWNERSHIP IN THE MEDIA (1431A1)

The Early day motion has received an amendment sponsored by Derek Wyatt (primary, Labour) and tabled on Monday, 15 June 1998. It has been signed by 5 members in total.

leave out from 'to' to end and add 'bring forward a debate in Brussels which ensures that 80 per cent of all European media is owned by its citizens.'.

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Secondary information

Type

Early day motion

Reference

1431 

1431A1 

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Broadcasting Commercial broadcasting Sky Licensing Ownership Radio News International Talk Radio

Link

View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk