NS Calls For Reform Of Outdated Media Laws

The Newspaper Society has called on the Government to abolish the controls that restrict the merger of newspaper companies and the transfer of newspaper titles by reforming the “out-dated” media ownership regulations.

In its response to the DCMS’s consultation on media ownership rules, the Newspaper Society, which represents the UK’s local and regional press, said that the reform of the media ownership regime is a matter of “crucial concern” to the industry.

The NS said that it supports the further liberalisation of the cross media ownership regulations and opposes the adoption of regulatory models such as those suggested in the Government’s consultation paper, which would impose stricter controls at a regional level.

The Society’s response to the Communications White Paper also included an independent report, which claims to provide a “strong case” for the wholesale reform of the newspaper provisions of the Fair Trading Act of 1973.

The IPA (see IPA Defends Sales Structure In DCMS Response) and News International (see News International Calls For Ownership Law Reform) have already spoken out against the current cross-media regulations, which the DCMS recognised as “outdated and inconsistent” in its consultation document last November (see Jowell Says Cross Media Rules May Remain).

Newspaper Society: 020 7636 7014 www.newspapersociety.org.uk

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