The UK government proposes to extend media merger rules to online news platforms.
- For the first time, online news sites and magazines will face media merger regulations.
- Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasizes adapting laws to keep up with digital news consumption.
- Public interest of media acquisitions will be scrutinized to protect reporting freedom and news diversity.
- A government consultation aims to include online and monthly prints in merger oversight.
The UK government has announced plans to update its media merger rules, extending them to online news sites and magazines. This marks the first instance where digital platforms will be subject to these regulations.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy explained the need for these changes, citing the evolving landscape of news consumption. As more people turn to online sources for their news, the current laws that focus on traditional media such as broadcasters and print newspapers are becoming outdated.
Nandy articulated the importance of a future-proof regulatory framework that supports media freedom and ensures the availability of diverse, high-quality news. She highlighted that regulating digital platforms would allow for better scrutiny of acquisitions, which can potentially affect public interest in accurate reporting and freedom of expression.
The government has initiated a consultation to gather insights on broadening the scope of the existing media mergers regime. This move aims to incorporate online news platforms and weekly or monthly print publications into the regulatory framework.
The proposed changes, pending consultation results, would be introduced through secondary legislation and would not apply to past mergers. The goal is to safeguard public interest by ensuring access to various news sources, especially as technology and consumption habits continue to evolve.
The government’s proposal seeks to modernize regulations to ensure diverse and reliable news in the digital age.
