Latest news with #mediaindependence
Telegraph
02-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Liberal Democrats in bid to block foreign state ownership of newspapers
He said: 'Last year, a coalition of members in both Houses supported a ban on foreign state ownership in UK newspapers, bringing into law legislation that protected our historic, free and independent press from the influence of foreign regimes. 'My benches supported your Government in introducing that crucial legislation. Today, we find ourselves facing new plans to scrap it. 'We should all be alarmed at the prospect of foreign powers – whose interests may diverge sharply from our own – gaining a foothold in our media landscape and shaping it, insidiously, to their own narrative. We believe that it is not just a policy misstep but a fundamental error that exposes our media to unacceptable risks.' He argued that the proposed 15 per cent cap was riddled with loopholes and could allow a 'consortium of foreign regimes' to gain a controlling interest in a British newspaper. Lord Fox, the Lib Dem business spokesman, has tabled a fatal motion to block the planned legislation. Press freedom 'not for sale' Addressing Tory peers, Lord Newby said: 'We are all aware of the arithmetic of our House – the motion will not pass if you do not support it. This is a moment for Parliament to send a message, united across party lines, that the freedom of the British press is not for sale.' RedBird Capital, the US private equity firm, reached an agreement in principle to acquire control of The Telegraph for £500 million from RedBird IMI. Gerry Cardinale, the founder and managing partner of RedBird Capital, said the deal marked 'the start of a new era' for the newspaper.
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
RedBird Capital-led group strikes deal to buy UK's Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph's ownership has raised questions about media independence and foreign states buying political influence. (EPA Images pic) LONDON : A transatlantic consortium led by RedBird Capital Partners has struck a deal to buy Britain's The Daily Telegraph newspaper, the title reported on Friday, spending £500 million (US$673 million) to secure control. The ownership of the right-leaning broadsheet has been in flux after the Abu Dhabi-backed RedBird IMI bought the Telegraph titles and the Spectator magazine in 2023, before Britain's then government moved to ban foreign state investment in British newspapers, forcing it to sell. The Telegraph said on Friday that the US private equity firm RedBird Capital, which provided a quarter of RedBird IMI's funding, is moving to take direct control and is expected to be joined in the ownership group by British media investors. The ownership of the Telegraph, one of Britain's best known newspapers which strongly backed the country's vote to leave the European Union, has raised questions about the independence of the media and foreign states buying political influence. Britain's previous Conservative government last year banned foreign state investment in British newspapers, blocking RedBird IMI, run by former CNN boss Jeff Zucker and with the majority of its funding from Abu Dhabi, from owning the Telegraph. However, the Labour government said earlier this month that it proposed to allow foreign state-owned investors to own up to 15% of British newspaper publishers. The Telegraph said no final agreements were in place and regulatory hurdles would loom. 'We believe the UK is a great place to invest, and this acquisition is an important part of RedBird's growing portfolio of media and entertainment companies in the UK,' Gerry Cardinale, the founder of the US private equity firm, was quoted by the newspaper as saying.
Jordan Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Prime minister meets JPA president, reaffirms support for media
Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Sunday meets with Jordan Press Association (JPA) President Tariq Momani (Petra photo) AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Sunday met with Jordan Press Association (JPA) President Tariq Momani. Hassan emphasised the government's support for enhancing media independence and professional performance, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. He said that the government is open to the sector and keen on maintaining direct communication with it. During the meeting, which comes as part of the premier's communication with representatives of various national sectors, Hassan underscored the government's efforts to digitalise the media. He noted the importance of partnership with JPA to implement the digitalisation project, which would contribute to improving the national media and enhancing its role. The prime minister congratulated Momani and the JPA council on winning the elections, expressing his wishes for a successful performance. For his part, the JPA president commended the government's commitment to communicating with various sectors, including the media, stressing that the association strives to enhance the media environment and journalistic practice in accordance with the standards of professionalism and responsibility. Minister of Government Communication and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani attended the meeting.
