cross-media ownership

   The situation that applies when a person or company has a financial stake in different branches of mass communication – for example, when they own a newspaper and a television channel, or a radio station and a publishing house. For instance, Rupert Murdoch’s News International owns several British newspapers, Sky TV and has interests in radio stations, film and publishing. Such cross ownership is allowed, subject to certain rules. For example, regulations allow a newspaper proprietor to have a 20 per cent stake in a television station. There has been concern in recent years over the extent and growth of cross-media ownership within the media industry. In the discussion there has been broad agreement that there should be: an effective plurality of editorial voices across the media; a diverse supply and range of programmes; proper and effective access to new-media players; and a need to secure adequate investment in the industry and stimulate creative talent. The difficulty is in achieving a balance that allows for genuine competition and diversity, whilst at the same time enabling the media companies to remain strong, viable and able to compete in the rapidly evolving media market place.