ID :
154363
Wed, 12/22/2010 - 14:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/154363
The shortlink copeid
UK minister threatens ‘war’ against Murdoch
London, Dec 22, IRNA – Business Secretary Vince Cable has admitted declaring “war” against Rupert Murdoch to prevent the Australian-American media tycoon to take full control of BSkyB, Britain’s leading satellite broadcaster.
Cable, who was a victim of media sting operation by the Daily Telegraph Tuesday, said he had blocked Murdoch’s bid by using his ministerial regulation powers.
“I have declared war on Mr Murdoch and I think we are going to win,” Cable told an undercover reporter posing as a constituent in parts of the transcript yet to be published, according to the BBC.
“His whole empire is now under attack,” he said. “There are things like that that you can do in government.”
Earlier, the Telegraph publicised Cable, the most senior Liberal Democrat in British cabinet, threatening to “bring down the government” over the pace of its reform programme, which he described as 'Maoist'.
At a joint press conference, Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, confirmed that the business secretary was “embarrassed and apologetic” over his private comments, but neither offered him their full support.
In the latest disclosure, Cable referred to the bid by Murdoch’s News Corporation to take full control of Sky television, saying that he was “picking my fights,” He said he did not politicise it, “because it is a legal question.”
News Corporation, which already owns 39% of Sky as well of four leading UK newspapers, including the Times and the Sun, announced in June a £8bn full takeover that would increase the turnover of Murdoch’s British media empire to £7.5bn compared with the BBC's £4.8bn.
The bid, which has to be approved by regulators, led to the rest of the British media setting aside their political differences and traditional rivalry to warn against the expansion.
In the US, Murdoch already has a portfolio, which includes Fox News, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, which has recently announced plans to develop an integrated digital product, beyond the means of most newspapers./end
Cable, who was a victim of media sting operation by the Daily Telegraph Tuesday, said he had blocked Murdoch’s bid by using his ministerial regulation powers.
“I have declared war on Mr Murdoch and I think we are going to win,” Cable told an undercover reporter posing as a constituent in parts of the transcript yet to be published, according to the BBC.
“His whole empire is now under attack,” he said. “There are things like that that you can do in government.”
Earlier, the Telegraph publicised Cable, the most senior Liberal Democrat in British cabinet, threatening to “bring down the government” over the pace of its reform programme, which he described as 'Maoist'.
At a joint press conference, Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, confirmed that the business secretary was “embarrassed and apologetic” over his private comments, but neither offered him their full support.
In the latest disclosure, Cable referred to the bid by Murdoch’s News Corporation to take full control of Sky television, saying that he was “picking my fights,” He said he did not politicise it, “because it is a legal question.”
News Corporation, which already owns 39% of Sky as well of four leading UK newspapers, including the Times and the Sun, announced in June a £8bn full takeover that would increase the turnover of Murdoch’s British media empire to £7.5bn compared with the BBC's £4.8bn.
The bid, which has to be approved by regulators, led to the rest of the British media setting aside their political differences and traditional rivalry to warn against the expansion.
In the US, Murdoch already has a portfolio, which includes Fox News, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, which has recently announced plans to develop an integrated digital product, beyond the means of most newspapers./end
