Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom (CPBF)

for diverse, democratic and accountable media

for diverse, democratic and accountable media

The case against the Fox/ Sky merger grows

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“Modern Slavery event” by Foreign and Commonwealth Office is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Sometime this week we should be hearing from Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, The Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP about whether or not she has decided to refer 21st Century Fox's bid to acquire the portion of Sky PLC it doesn't already own to Ofcom on public interest grounds. She has already said that she is 'minded to'. In the last week the case again the bid … [Read more...]

Sky bid – Bradley ‘minded’ to order Ofcom investigation

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“Rupert Murdoch 2011 Shankbone” by David Shankbone is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley has said she is “minded” to order an Ofcom investigation into the planned £11.7 billion takeover of broadcaster Sky by Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox, over concerns about competition and broadcasting standards. Such a decision would not block the deal but would kick off an Ofcom investigation into public interests considerations. She said … [Read more...]

Sir Harold calls on FT, Guardian and others to sign up to Impress

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By David Shankbone from USA (Sir Harold Evans 2 Shankbone 2009 NYC blog) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

by Dominic Ponsford Press Gazette 1 March Former Sunday Times editor Sir Harold Evans has outlined in more detail why he supports Royal Charter-backed press regulator Impress. He has also said he supports Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act, the law which says publishers who aren’t signed up to a Royal Charter-backed press regulator should pay both sides’ costs in libel … [Read more...]

Murdoch’s lobbying efforts are increasing, new analysis finds

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Media Reform Coalition

by Media Reform Coalition Analysis by Media Reform Coalition and 38 Degrees suggests that Murdoch’s lobbying of government intensified ahead of the recent government consultation on the Leveson Inquiry and the announcement by Murdoch’s renewed bidto take over Sky. Between April 2015 and September 2016, senior News Corp executives met with government ministers or their … [Read more...]

‘Drop the charges’ demands the IFJ as six US journalists charged with rioting

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By Pax Ahimsa Gethen (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

by IFJ/NUJ news releases The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called for felony charges against six US journalists arrested while covering protests against new President Donald Trump to be dropped. They are facing up to 10 years each in prison after being arrested covering unrest around Donald Trump´s inauguration on 20 January in Washington.Journalists Evan … [Read more...]

Post-truth Politics

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Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

by Gary Herman The fuss about fake news and post-truth politics reminds me of the fact that the country Donald Trump will soon begin to govern bears the name of a fraudulent explorer whose fake records of his adventures on the far side of the Atlantic were picked up by an early cartographer with an eye for a marketing opportunity. And so, Amerigo Vespucci's name went down in … [Read more...]

Calls for Ahmet Şık to be released

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English PEN

The IFJ/EFJ, English Pen and other trade unions and press freedom organisations have called for the immediate release of leading investigative journalist Ahmet Sik, who was taken into custody in Istanbul on 29 December. Following his detention Ahmet Şık has now been charged. He is accused of making terrorist propaganda for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the … [Read more...]

NHS safety investigations under threat say campaigners

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LAWARN

by CFOI news release A new legal block on the disclosure of information about NHS safety investigations will fuel public suspicion of cover-ups and protect poor quality inquiries from scrutiny, says the Campaign for Freedom of Information. The Department of Health has proposed new arrangements for investigating serious hospital safety incidents. The aim is to encourage … [Read more...]

Leveson 2: Ex-Crimewatch presenter makes legal challenge

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by Source BBC News web site An ex-Crimewatch presenter and phone-hacking victim is launching a legal challenge to test the government's commitment to press regulation. Jacqui Hames wants judicial review of the decision by the culture secretary to consult on whether to go ahead with part two of the Leveson Inquiry. “Leveson 2" would examine relationships between police and … [Read more...]

Sky and 21st Century Fox agree £18.5bn takeover deal

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by BBC news web site Broadcaster Sky and 21st Century Fox have reached agreement on the terms of a takeover deal it was announced lunchtime. Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox will pay £11.7bn for the 61% stake it does not already own. Sky shareholders will receive £10.75 in cash for each share, valuing the entire company at £18.5bn. The deal comes amid concerns that Rupert … [Read more...]