According to Ray Snoddy writing in the FT today, the government has decided not to carry out a reform of the cross-media ownership regulations. Currently newspaper publishers are prevented from holding more than 20% of commercial TV and radio stations.
The Department of National Heritage, due to make an announcement after Easter, is likely to produce one concession for publishers. The maximum newspaper stake in broadcasters may be increased from a possible 20% to 29.9%; just under the 30% controlling interest. This change was advocated last year by the Independent Television Commission, and can be implemented without a full act of parliament.
It is also suggested that Stephen Dorrell, national heritage secretary, is sceptical about arguments for further liberalising ITV ownership rules.
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