Alongside the unveiling of half-year financial results yesterday (see Pearson Profits Remain Strong), Pearson chief executive, Marjorie Scardino, is also reported to have confirmed that the group is looking to dispose of its stake in satellite broadcaster BSkyB.Pearson holds only 3% of BSkyB, but it is expected that a sale may fetch over £220 million,… Continue reading Pearson Looks To Sell BSkyB Stake
The Greek TV toy ad ban remains at issue as the Commission continues its period of consultation on wider aspects of children’s advertising in connection with the Article 169 procedure initiated by European toy manufacturers. It is understood that Commissioner Monti wishes to return to the Commission with enough information and research data to be… Continue reading EU: Toy ads consultation continues
Neil Kinnock, the EU Transport Commissioner, has no intention of banning car advertising at an EU level. Replying to widespread press suggestions to the contrary, Mr Kinnock said “I wish to reassure everybody, industry and consumers, that there are no plans to ban car advertising.” Confusion over EU plans to regulate car sales and advertising… Continue reading EU: Commission denies ad ban
The Commission has published a working document on the convergence of telecommunications, the media and information technologies. The consultation, launched last December, aroused great interest with over 270 contributions from industry, users, regulatory authorities and other interested parties. However, it did not lead to a consensus, except on the need for better regulatory coordination, and… Continue reading EU: Media convergence
All but four of the national papers lost readership year on year during the NRS period January 1998 – June 1998. The Mirror gained the most significant number of readers, with an increase of 3.66%. The other titles which didn’t experience readership losses were the Express On Sunday up 2.57% and the Times 0.79%.The biggest… Continue reading National Newspaper NRS – June 1998
Bell Atlantic appears to have adopted a rather innovative method of disposing of its shares in Cable & Wireless Communications. The company will be issuing in excess of $3bn in convertible bonds, which can either be held onto by investors or converted into CWC shares. This also means that Bell Atlantic will remain on the… Continue reading Bell Atlantic Dispose Of CWC Shares
The European Commission has announced that it will be pursuing infringement proceedings against member states who have not implemented the legal protection of databases Directive by the due date of 1 January 1998. The MS are Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal.
The Data Protection Registrar has welcomed Government proposals to integrate the rights under the Freedom of Information proposals with the privacy requirements under the Data Protection proposals. This means that an application for personal information made under the Freedom of Information Act should, if relating to the applicant’s own information, be treated as a subject… Continue reading UK: DPR welcomes clarification
The Periodical Publishers Association (PPA) has welcomed amendments to the Independent Television Commission’s Code which allow publishers to draw upon topical events to provide content for their printed titles and corresponding TV shows, as well as accepting the need for “overlapping” features reflecting the character of the magazine and the corresponding TV show. The amendments… Continue reading UK: Publishers welcome ITC revision
The UK Government has published proposals to combine all the supervisory and regulatory powers in respect of financial services under one regulator, the Financial Services Authority. The draft Financial Services and Markets bill sets up a single ombudsman and compensation scheme for investors and depositors, a financial services appeals tribunal, oversight of the Lloyd’s insurance… Continue reading UK: New bill to reform UK rules
