The Competition Commission has today announced that it has cleared all three competing bids for the publishing group Newscom. The three bids, from Trinity Mirror, Newsquest-owner Gannett, and Johnston Press, were submitted for investigation in December (see Newscom Bids Referred To Competition Commission).
Stephen Byers, the trade and industry secretary, said: “The Competition Commission has looked carefully at the effects of the transfer on the accurate presentation of news and free expression of opinion, concentration of ownership, and on efficiency and employment.”
The transfer would see Newquest’s share of the circulation and distribution of all regional and local newspapers rise to 14%, Johnston Press to 12% and Trinity Mirror to slightly more than 25%. The Commission said that it “believes that the national concentration arising from any of the proposed transfers would not adversely affect advertisers, nor would it affect cover prices, given the importance of maximising readership in the competitive market in which regional and local press operate.”
Competition Commission: 020 7271 0100
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