[cma-l] Murdoch - Sky's the limit - three days left to lobby Ofcom

[Phil Shepherd]

This from Avaaz.org ....

Rupert Murdoch is on a fast track to control over half of this country¹s
newspapers and television. This week is our only chance to tell regulators
to stand up for a wide choice of news, and defend our democracy.

Britain loses if Murdoch wins. With all of the BSkyB TV network his massive
dominance of our media would become further entrenched, extending his power
and political influence. Here and elsewhere Murdoch has used his reach to
promote conservative political candidates, the persecution of minorities,
climate change denial and the dangerous lies that led to the invasion of
Iraq. 

We have until Friday to stop this! Let¹s flood the regulator with thousands
of submissions saying why we feel this deal is against the public interest.
We¹ll deliver tens of thousands of comments in boxloads to Ofcom¹s offices
on Friday, making a media splash. Send yours now via the link below, and
encourage everyone you know to do the same today.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/ofcom_no_bskyb_takeover/?vl

Murdoch¹s News Corporation already owns 39% of the BSkyB television company
and four of our best-selling newspapers. His new expansion bid rides
roughshod over the Œmedia plurality¹, which the government has a legal duty
to uphold. Regulator Ofcom is accepting public comments on Murdoch¹s plans
for just a few days.

This deal would allow Murdoch to cross-promote his different outputs and
increase his political roles. For 30 years no British political party has
won an election without Murdoch's blessing. This ability to get voters¹
attention gives him frequent access to the prime minister - hence his
nickname the Œ24th member of the cabinet¹.

This is a fight for the soul of British democracy. We cannot afford to have
one company dominate half of our TV, newspaper and online news. From illegal
spying at the News of the World here to his hate-filled Fox News empire in
the U.S., Murdoch¹s media erodes the values we hold dear and shows few
scruples when attacking political or commercial rivals - now including the
BBC. 

The Avaaz movement in Canada recently proved that determined campaigning can
block conservative media takeovers. Let¹s do it again here. Ofcom has given
until this Friday for anyone to submit comments on whether this deal is in
the public interest. Let¹s send a message today and tell everyone we know.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/ofcom_no_bskyb_takeover/?vl

In the world we are striving to create, citizens will be empowered by a
media telling truth for the public good. Countering this deal is vital if we
are to leave space for such a media in our country, and the world.