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At the end of 2012 a total of forty nine journalists were in prison in Turkey—more even than in Iran or China. In the CPBF’s latest podcast Nicholas Jones talks to two leading British trade unionists about the need to mobilise support for freedom of expression in Turkey.

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  Polls show majorities against US ownership of ITV and Murdoch buying Channel 5

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  More than half the people of Britain are opposed to government plans to allow ITV to be taken over by a US based global media giant and Rupert Murdoch to take control of Channel 5.
  
  Two phone polls carried out for the NUJ have showed that 52% are against the proposals in the Communications Bill currently before the House of Lords. The ‘yes’ votes were 23% (with 24% don’t know) The poll about Murdoch and Channel 5 also registered 52% against with 32% in favour, and 16% ‘don’t knows’.
  

• Download the 'Ownership of ITV' poll (Word file).
  
• Download the 'Rupert Murdoch' poll (Word file).The polls clearly show public concern about global ownership of these two commercial TV channels. Such concerns, however, have not influenced the Government, determined to press ahead with the legislation. However, the bill is likely to get bogged down in the Lords where there are moves to delete the clause in the bill, which would allow Channel 5 to be taken over by Murdoch. The Prime Minister added the clause to the draft Bill at the last minute.
  
  It scraps the cross-media ownership rule that prevents an owner of more than 20% of the news-paper market buying into a terrestrial TV channel. Although it still applies to ITV, Blair also sanctioned global companies being allowed to buy ITV, despite contrary advice from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
  
  Only one section polled favoured Murdoch taking over Channel 5. People aged between 16 to 24 recorded 56% in favour and 27% against (17% don’t know). The highest section opposing were people aged between 45 to 54 with 68% against and 21% in favour (10% don’t know).
  
  What the Poll showed.
  
  Under new Government proposals, Rupert Murdoch, who controls SkyTV and owns the Sun newspaper, would be allowed to buy Channel 5 television. Would you support such a move?
  These were the answers (all figures are percentages)
  
  

  	Total	Male	Female	16/24	25/34	35/44	45/54	55/64	65+
  Yes	32%	38%	25%	56%	42%	31%	21%	23%	19%
  No	52%	50%	54%	27%	44%	56%	68%	54%	61%
  Don’t Know	16%	11%	21%	17%	14%	13%	10%	23%	20%

  
  
  The poll was carried out by Taylor Nelson Sofres. They interviewed 1006 people by phone between 7 -9 March 2003. The full poll can be downloaded from the link below together with an earlier poll on American ownership of ITV carried out between 4-6 February 2003.
  
  Download the 'Ownership of ITV' poll (Word file).
  Download the 'Rupert Murdoch' poll (Word file).
  
  
  
  
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  Last modified: Wednesday, May 21, 2003

  
  

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