OFT Review into Local Media Merger Regime

The NS met the Office of Fair Trading on Monday to discuss their review of the local and regional merger regime. NS director David Newell said on Friday:

“The NS welcomes today’s announcement that the OFT is reviewing the local and regional merger regime within the timeframe of the Digital Britain report. It is helpful that the government has specifically asked for the review to examine a number of the main issues which the NS has been asking the government to address as a matter of urgency:

• Realities of evolving local media markets and the range and diversity of competition which currently exists.
• Need for clear guidance from the competition authorities and informal advice on specific local media merger cases.
• Extent to which public service broadcasters and local authorities constitute competition to independent local media.

“We look forward to the opportunities that Digital Britain will give regional and local media companies to enable them to develop public service content across all media platforms including regional TV news.

“We will meet with the OFT and Ofcom this month and will respond to each of the review stages between now and its completion in mid-April.”

• OFT news release

For further information please contact Lynne Anderson on 020 7632 7421 or e-mail lynne_anderson@newspapersoc.org.uk.