80666.net

The government has said it is “minded to accept” News Corp’s assurances about the spin-off of Sky News, but is to consult on some fresh conditions.

The spin-off of Sky News is the key condition if News Corp is to be allowed to take full ownership of BSkyB.

The conditions include having an independent editorial director at Sky News board meetings and for Sky News to continue to be promoted on other Sky channels.

The consultation will run until 8 July.

After that date, the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt, will take a final decision on whether to allow the takeover or refer it to the Competition Commission.

Earlier advice from the Office of Fair Trading and media regulator Ofcom expressed concern about News Corp owning too much of the British media.

The company currently holds a stake in BSkyB and owns the Sun and Times newspapers.

News Corp offered to spin off Sky News as an independent company, but continue to fund it, in order to prevent the takeover deal being referred to the Competition Commission.

Mr Hunt launched a consultation on the plans on 3 March, as a result of which he has added four extra conditions to the deal:

Sky News board meetings will be attended by an independent director with editorial experience when editorial decisions are to be made.A monitoring trustee will be appointed to make sure News Corp applies with its undertakings on Sky News.Other Sky channels will continue to promote Sky News.Sky News’ Articles of Association have to be approved by the secretary of state.

This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/business-13971402

michele bachmann mob wives bachmann bachmann medicare medicare supreme court