The media world has exploded today with news about the approval by Jeremy Hunt, Culture Secretary, for News Corp to spin off Sky News, clearing the way for News Corp’s purchase of the 61% of BSkyB it doesn’t already own.
There’s a myriad of links to point people to and it’s worth comparing and contrasting how the different news organisations are reporting the story today to study the subtle (and not so subtle) differences. Jump from Media Guardian to the BBC, from Sky News to The Independent, for example…
Probably the most informative I’ve read through so far is the letter of advice to Hunt from Ofcom, which you can download at the Media Guardian site.
The most interesting section for me is towards the end of the letter where Ofcom highlights there is likely to be ‘significant evolution of the market and consumers’ use of news and current affairs over the next decade.’ I’d say that’s putting it lightly. We as PRs are front-line in the dramatic changes taking place across news and current affairs right now. That speed of evolution is one of the most exciting things about working in PR!
The letter goes on to say ‘the current system is deficient in failing to provide for intervention to be considered where plurality concerns arise in the absence of a corporate transaction involving media enterprises.’
This is a big day for the media in Britain. If all goes through as recommended, News Corp will be in a stronger position to continue to adapt and evolve with the dramatic changes we are witnessing in our media landscape. For example, its potential combined offering behind a pay-wall is a very interesting prospect.
