Next debate: Thursday 21 July - Is restricting media ownership solution to phone hacking scandal?

DATE: Thursday 21 July
TIME: 7.30pm
VENUE: The George, 213 Strand, WC2R 1AP
MOTION: This House Would clean up the media by restricting ownership of the press

Background:
In the light of the recent phone hacking scandal currently engulfing the world largest Media organisation and the cross party vote blocking Newscorps bid to buy the remaining share of BskyB, Ed Miliband has spoken publicly of his desire to reduce the maximum market share of the media that any one individual or company can hold.

Does the government have a right to dictate who is 'a fit and proper' owner of a UK enterprise? Would such measures prevent a repeat of the phone hacking scandal? Should an organisation that used previously bribery, intimidation and illegal activity be allowed to have any stake in the UK Media? To whom would these measures apply: just newspapers, or broadcasters and the blogosphere too?

Venue:
This week,we will be meeting in the upstairs function room of our new home,The George, located on the Strand (see here for directions). The room can accomodate up to 60 people with a fully staffed bar on the floor below and it will be ours all night, so come along and join us for a relaxed evening with interesting people.

Further Reading:
1) Miliband calls for overhaul of media ownership rules (Observer)
2) Phone-hacking scandal latest developments (BBC)
3) Lessons on media mergers from abroad (Enders Analysis)
4) Experts call for relaxation of media ownership laws (mediaweek)
5) An alternative method of press regulation? (International Forum for Responsible Media)


Admission:
Admission is, as ever, totally free of charge. All are welcome, so if you know anyone who might be interested in this debate, do feel free to bring them along.

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