[cma-l] Fwd: 24 hours left! The Murdoch Media Menace

Thu Dec 30 18:08:29 GMT 2010

see my recent posting

--- On Thu, 30/12/10, Phil Shep <phil at somersetfilm.com> wrote:

From: Phil Shep <phil at somersetfilm.com>
Subject: [cma-l] Fwd: 24 hours left! The Murdoch Media Menace
To: "CMA-L" <cma-l at commedia.org.uk>
Date: Thursday, 30 December, 2010, 11:55

Phil ShepherdSomerset FilmChair, UK Community Media Association
Begin forwarded message:

From: "Alex Wilks - Avaaz.org" <avaaz at avaaz.org>
Date: 30 December 2010 09:51:33 GMT
To: "phil at somersetfilm.com" <phil at somersetfilm.com>
Subject: 24 hours left! The Murdoch Media Menace

Wow - in just 2 days, nearly 30,000 of us have signed the petition for an impartial investigation in the BSkyB Murdoch's decision. The next 24 hours are crucial, let's get to 50.000! Sign below and forward this email to everyone: 

Dear friends across the UK,

 Rupert Murdoch wants to buy his way to more media and political power with his bid for full ownership of BSkyB. We only have 4 days to press the government  to initiate a full review of what this would mean for our media. 

This week sees a vital test for our democracy. How we act now will determine whether – in new years to come - our media is dominated by a few corporate bullies or sustained by diverse independent voices.

The Prime Minister has stripped Vince Cable of responsibility for judging the BSkyB media takeover because Cable stated strong views on Rupert Murdoch. But – ridiculously – David Cameron has given the task to another minister who’s clearly biased. Jeremy Hunt says he is a massive Murdoch fan. We can’t trust Hunt to stop Murdoch dragging our public debate into the gutter, as he has done in the US.

Let’s urgently show Jeremy Hunt and David Cameron how we feel. If we make a big fuss the government won’t be able to wave through the Murdoch deal and will be forced to order a full and fair review by the Competition Commission. Sign the petition and send to friends and family -- Avaaz and 38 Degrees will deliver it this Friday. 

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/murdoch_bskyb/?vl

If it buys the rest of BSkyB TV on top of the many newspapers it already owns, Murdoch’s News Corporation could soon control half of UK national newspapers and television. This would fly in the face of the law guaranteeing ‘media plurality’. But this law is new and untested, and the government needs guts to uphold it in the face of Murdoch’s powerful political machine. 

Regulator Ofcom is due to submit its assessment of Murdoch’s plans on new year’s eve. Then it’s up to Jeremy Hunt to decide what to do next. He can either say OK to the deal, or refer it to the Competition Commission – for a full assessment that includes plurality, or a limited commercial review, as if this was the market for washing machines. Worryingly Hunt seems to see the media that way – his website states that Rupert Murdoch “has probably done more to create variety and choice in British TV than any other single person”. 

We know that the Murdoch family doesn’t just own newspapers, but wields major political influence. Rupert Murdoch and his son James have had several meetings with David Cameron and Jeremy Hunt since the election. The Murdochs presumably pressed for concessions to increase their commercial empire – including by attacking the BBC. Murdoch’s Fox News has pushed an aggressive line against action on climate change and for the war in Iraq. 

This decision is one of the most important that this government will take – and can’t be based on one minister’s opinion following a rushed portfolio swap. To keep our media in safe hands let’s sign the petition calling for a review that will guarantee a diverse and fair media. 

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/murdoch_bskyb/?vl

In the world we are striving to create vital decisions will be taken on the basis of heartfelt principles, not high politics. This review is our chance to ensure our media can hold our politicians and businesses to account for many years into the future.  

Determined to end the year with another great campaign,

Alex, Ricken, Luis, Brianna and the whole Avaaz team

MORE INFORMATION

Murdoch's BSkyB Deal Chances Improve as Conservative Hunt Is Given Review (Bloomberg) 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-22/murdoch-s-bskyb-deal-chances-improve-as-jeremy-hunt-takes-over-review.html

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt allowed to rule on Murdoch's Sky bid despite claims of bias (Daily Mail) 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1340994/Culture-Secretary-Jeremy-Hunt-allowed-rule-Murdochs-Sky-bid-despite-claims-bias-Labour.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Conservative links to Murdoch under scrutiny as private meeting revealed (The Guardian) 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/dec/22/conservative-links-murdoch-private-meeting

Fox boss ordered staff to cast doubt on climate science (Media Matters) 

http://mediamatters.org/blog/201012150004 

Rupert Murdoch’s growing media empire (BBC) 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10317856 

Official memo on why the Murdoch bid would damage the media (BEEHIVECITY) 

http://www.beehivecity.com/television/why-murdochs-bid-for-sky-should-be-blocked-memo-in-full/ 

Support the Avaaz community! We're entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way -- donate here.

Avaaz.org is a 6.5-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 13 countries on 4 continents and operates in 14 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

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