Issues Letter Sent For Belfast Telegraph Take-over

An issues letter has been sent by the Competition Commission regarding the proposed acquisition of the Belfast Telegraph and other titles by Independent News and Media (INM)(see Indy’s Bid For Belfast Telegraph Referred To Competition Commission).

The main parties involved have all received the letter, which outlines the issues identified after the consideration of views expressed at an open meeting held in Belfast on 28 April. The commission is due to submit its report on the matter to the Secretary of State on 9 June 2000.

Issues outlined in the letter include INM’s rationale for the acquisition and its plans for future development of the titles transferred, the terms of the transfer- in particular the price- and the effect on advertising and advertisers given the competition between newspapers north and south of the border.

Competition Commission: 020 7271 0100