Ofcom should have final say on media takeovers, say peers

Committee says final decision on plurality issues should rest with regulator rather than secretary of stateA Lords committee has called for politicians to be stripped of the power to have the final say on large media deals, following the heavily criticised process surrounding News Corporation's £8bn bid to take full control of BSkyB.The House of Lords communications committee report on media plurality, published on Tuesday, also says the BBC should be included in any assessment for the first time, as should the impact of newspaper websites and digital outlets such as the Huffington Post, Google News, Facebook and Twitter.Lord Inglewood, the committee's chair, said the industry regulator Ofcom should have the final say on plurality and competition issues surrounding any major media deal."Issues surrounding media plurality have come under the policy spotlight during the present parliament, after concerns were raised about the proposed (and subsequently abandoned) purchase of BSkyB by News Corporation," Inglewood said. "Responsibility for reconciling plurality and competition assessments of transactions and for reaching a final decision should rest with the Ofcom board, not the secretary of state."The government's handling of an investigation into Rupert Murdoch's attempt to increase his stake in BSkyB from 39.1% to full control in 2010/2011 attracted widespread criticism.Vince Cable, the business secretary, was stripped of responsibility for weighing the ramifications of... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2014-02-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fairfax Media in talks to buy Business Spectator: Reuters

Fairfax Media is in exclusive talks to acquire the publisher of independent news and opinion website Business Spectator, Reuters says. Continue reading at The Sydney Morning Herald

[ The Sydney Morning Herald | 2012-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Media Decoder Blog: In a Blow to Independent Bookstores, Google to Discontinue Reseller Program

Google said the program, which allowed independent bookstores to sell ebooks through their Web sites, was not a success. Bookstores said it was a valuable platform that allowed them to give customers something they wanted. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2012-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon tax probe in media spotlight

Amazon's tax arrangements are in the spotlight this morning after national newspapers... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-04-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Media Decoder Blog: Former Goldman Executive Is Said to Complete Book Deal

Greg Smith, the former Goldman executive who wrote a widely read Op-Ed in The New York Times about the changing culture at the Wall Street firm, has reported made a deal with Grand Central Publishing, part of Hachette. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2012-03-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Harry Potter E-Books Finally Arrive on J.K. Rowling's Pottermore

Pottermore was due to go live in October, but it missed its launch. The is expected to open to the public early next month. Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2012-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Media Decoder Blog: "50 Shades of Grey" Movie Rights Are Bought by Universal

"Fifty Shades of Grey'' and its two sequels, which became underground sensations and attracted interest from major publishing houses, is headed for Hollywood. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2012-03-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Media Decoder Blog: McClatchy Chief to Lead The A.P.

Gary Pruitt, chairman and chief executive of the newspaper publisher McClatchy Company, becomes the 13th leader of The Associated Press. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2012-03-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bidders revealed for Flammarion takeover

Gallimard and a partnership between Albin Michel and Actes Sud, revealed by Livres Hebdo, have... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-03-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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American Business Media's 2012 Neal Award Winners

This story first appears on FOLIO: sister site, minonline. Business-to-business media were in the forefront on March 16 as American Business Media presented its 58th annual Jesse H. Neal Awards at a New York luncheon. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2012-03-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Media Decoder Blog: Amanda Knox's Ex-Boyfriend Signs Book Deal

Raffaele Sollecito, the Italian student who was dating Ms. Knox when they were both charged with murder in 2007, will write his own memoir, for an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2012-03-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Andy Healy promoted to publishing director at Immediate Media

Immediate Media has promoted Andy Healy to the position of publishing director, it was announced today (12 March). Continue reading at Media Week

[ Media Week | 2012-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Finally! Pottermore will open in April

After lengthy beta testing, the Harry Potter website Pottermore will be open to the public starting in early April. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2012-03-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New Media and Tech Winning the Viral News War

Some new research sheds light on how social media is currently being used to share news articles from traditional publishers. Newswhip has looked at the number of news stories during January 2012 that received more than 100 mentions on Twitter and Fa ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-03-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jonathan Franzen – this time taking on Twitter – heaps more scorn on social media

 'Freedom' author Jonathan Franzen, who has previously disparaged Facebook and ebooks, says Twitter 'stands for everything I oppose' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2012-03-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Selling Social Media

As an element of a marketer’s branding strategy, social media is huge. Some publishers are finding ways to leverage their social graph as a part of their overall marketing package offers to advertising clients. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2012-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How To Lose Friends And Alienate Twitter Followers: 5 Stupid Social Media Mistakes

When I interviewed entrepreneur and author Guy Kawasaki recently, I chatted with him at great lengths about his Twitter publishing habits. Take a look at his feed, and every few minutes you'll see a new post, from why videos go viral to Playboy's plans for a strip club. With so much tweeting, I... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2012-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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GateHouse Media to use SAXOTECH to Manage Print and Digital Content Across Publishing Platforms

Tampa, Fla. — February 28, 2012 — SAXOTECH, a leader in content management, circulation and advertising technology, today announced GateHouse Media, Inc. (GateHouse Media) has selected the SAXOTECH Mediaware Center and SAXOTECH On ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Media Decoder Blog: Release Date Moved Up for Shadid Book

The Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter, who died Thursday while reporting in Syria, was to have embarked soon on a 20-city tour to promote his new book. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2012-02-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Media Decoder Blog: HarperCollins Is Said to Acquire Rights to Amanda Knox Memoir

Many in the publishing world were convinced that Ms. Knox's story would be a huge best seller, overcoming concerns that she may not be a sympathetic figure to some of the public. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2012-02-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bluff Media Sold to Churchill Downs Inc.

Bluff Media has been acquired by horse racing and entertainment company Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) for an undisclosed amount. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2012-02-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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