The government’s last minute agreement with Lord Puttnam may not be enough to secure the smooth passage of the Communications Bill through the Lords, after Liberal Democrat peer Lord McNally called for a specific ban on Rupert Murdoch buying Channel Five.
Liberal Democrat peers are hoping to force an amendment to the bill which would prevent a national newspaper with a market share of 20% or greater from acquiring a terrestrial TV channel.
The move comes in spite of the government’s introduction of a “plurality test”, a compromise measure designed to avert defeat in the Lords (see Government Ends Media Ownership Deadlock). This is essentially a pledge to maintain a “specified public interest concern in relation to media plurality” and has been the subject of criticism from Lords across the political divide who believe it fails to address the increasing power of media conglomerates, such as Murdoch’s News Corporation.
Lord McNally is bringing his new amendment to the table in response to growing disquiet over Labour’s reliance on Murdoch’s support, which some believe has led to a “flawed and cowardly” bill.
Speaking in the Guardian, McNally said: “The government still refuses the invitation to rule out the ownership of Five by someone in a dominant position in the print and satellite media. My amendment will present ministers with a further opportunity to close that loophole and specifically rule out such a concentration of power.”
If the amendment is successful, it will be a blow to the government and Lord Puttnam, who negotiated the compromise measure. Puttnam has also expressed concern that the House Of Commons may try to push back the concessions won in the House Of Lords.
The Communications Bill receives its third and final reading in the Lords today and the Government is hoping to receive the royal assent by July 17th.
