Douglas Carswell's Blog

Sky's the limit

Several newspaper chiefs apparently want the government to intervene to prevent Rupert Murdoch's takeover of BSkyB.

So.  No vested interest there then.

They claim that a Murdoch takeover would end "media plurality".  Murdoch doesn't threaten media plurality - that's the BBC's role.

Let's put things into perspective.  Each year the state gives £3 Billion public money to a mega media empire called the BBC.  Against which BSkyB competes, creating a comparatively niche market of people willing to pay on top of what they are required to give the state broadcaster.

On top of that, the state regulator - OFCOM - has decreed that BSkyB give up aspects of its ownership over broadcast rights in which it invested.  Responding to an army of latter-day James Taggarts, regulators decided to give others a "fair share".

Sky's only failing is that they produce something that folk are willing to buy with their own money.  Apparently that is less virtuous than having government give it to you instead....  

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