UK Media Ownership “Too Restricted”

A report to be submitted to the United Nations claims that freedom of expression in the UK is hampered by secrecy laws and media monopolies. The report, from the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, and Liberty, says that UK media ownership regulations breach Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which says that “everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference”.

The report is one of a series being sent to the UN Human Rights Committee, which is reviewing the UK’s record. The report says that 4 firms control 85% of national newspapers and 15 groups run 80% of the local press. This is a result of “inadequate measures against excessive concentration of ownership… The Monopolies and Mergers Commission has so far failed to prevent a single takeover.”