Should we view the media market as similar to the market for baked beans? Or should we view it, instead, as being unique? If we accept the latter perspective, what implications might this have for ownership of media outlets? These are hugely important questions for the future of democratic societies.
What has made them of immediate relevance to the UK is the bid by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp for the remaining 60.9 per cent of BSkyB. This would give the company control over the country’s biggest commercial broadcaster, with 35 per cent of television revenue (including the BBC), along with the 37 per cent of national newspaper circulation it already controls. This situation raises profound questions. It would raise those questions, in any case. But the fact that Mr Murdoch is the actor makes them more pressing.
