Culture Secretary vows to protect press freedom amid Telegraph takeover review
The TelegraphThe Culture Secretary has vowed to do “everything possible” to protect press freedom amid a review into a planned UAE-backed takeover of The Telegraph. “Journalism that is free and without favour really matters.” The comments come amid growing concerns about the prospect of a UAE takeover of The Telegraph and its impact on press freedom. However, media minister Julia Lopez last month said: “As a principle, I would be concerned about government ownership of any media institution.” Dozens of MPs have urged the Government to block the takeover due to concerns it would allow an authoritarian state to influence the editorial output of a key British media outlet. “It strikes me that freedom of speech and proper debate and a free press, not controlled by a foreign state, is very much part and parcel of that.” RedBird IMI is poised to take control of The Telegraph in a complex transaction that saw it help the Barclay family repay £1.2bn in debts to Lloyds Banking Group.
History of this topic
UAE given more time to offer concessions in Telegraph bid
The Telegraph
UAE-backed Telegraph takeover potentially against public interest, Ofcom warns Culture Secretary
The Telegraph
Regulators hand findings from Telegraph takeover probes to Government
The Independent
Culture Secretary blocks Abu Dhabi fund from seizing Telegraph during investigation
The Telegraph
Lord Hague urges Culture Secretary to ‘intervene’ on Telegraph sale
The Independent
Government ‘minded’ to intervene over Telegraph sale deal – Culture Secretary
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