ABSTRACT
The pressure on regulators is now more to do with ownership and the public interest, child protection online and intellectual property infringement. In early 2011, News Corporation filed to buy all the remaining shares in the satellite broadcaster BskyB in a £7.5 billion deal – it already owns just under 40 per cent. Many newspaper owners and television companies believed this takeover not to be in the public interest. Ofcom referred News Corporation’s takeover bid back to the Secretary of State, and the Competition Commission sought an inquiry into whether this deal would restrict choice for British audiences. Ofcom also produces in-depth reports including two on Public Service Broadcasting – see Chapter 3.
