The UK Parliament, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government, has taken decisive action to protect press freedom by amending legislation to prevent foreign state ownership of British news organizations. This initiative was primarily motivated by concerns over a potential Emirati minority stake in the Daily Telegraph, with debates focusing on whether ownership levels of 49% or 15% by foreign states are compatible with a free press. The House of Lords debated an amendment to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, aimed at giving Parliament a veto over media ownership that could block the Abu Dhabi-funded bid. Culture Minister Julia Lopez confirmed the government's intention to bring forward this amendment, underscoring efforts to safeguard the UK press from UAE influence and ensure its independence. The decision has garnered support from various sectors, including MPs, peers, and press freedom advocacy groups, emphasizing the critical role of a free and independent press in democracy.
‘The idea of the UAE taking over the biggest selling broadsheet newspaper in the United Kingdom was too much for parliamentarians.' @LiamHalligan discusses the Government outlawing the ownership of foreign newspapers above a certain threshold. https://t.co/p6QwTFH545
Rishi Sunak’s government is considering curbing the number of Chinese nationals who can enter the UK on official business for the People’s Republic and bypass normal visa checks, over fears the system is being abused to bring spies into Britain. https://t.co/tEgstDkHoW
Julia Lopez has been pretty unequivocal in defence of press freedom. HMG has been hamstrung by Emirati bid referral process but position is now clear. The new law, when published, is expected to stop any UAE or foreign power influence in the press - including minority stakes. https://t.co/IdjoXxiiEl
Julia Lopez has been pretty unequivocal in defence of press freedom. HMG has been hamstrung by Emirati bid referral process but at last, the position is clear. The final law is expected to stop any UAE influence in form of minority stakes. https://t.co/IdjoXxiiEl
Should foreign states own UK newspapers? Former UK ambassador to the UN, Sir @LyallGrant and journalist and former head of media at The Guardian, @janemartinson debate the topic. Watch below 🌎 https://t.co/Fx39g1gXcw 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/SXM9WtcVSS
Today, Parliament acted to protect press freedom. My take on a remarkable day:- https://t.co/TNemY9VbQr
This week saw a Tory donor's comments make headlines and debates on foreign governments owning British papers intensify; @adamparsons asks: 'How much do we know about the people who spend money to be involved in UK politics?' #PoliticsHub https://t.co/GlTNastFii 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/AmbzHBnz8t
Now that the government has moved to outlaw ownership of the press by foreign powers, what next? I spoke to Sky’s Mark Austin earlier:- https://t.co/fimjvQY3Ok
It's not over, and won't be until text of the amendment is published. But the free press - fundamental to our democracy - has today been protected by Parliament. Peers and MPs from all political parties moved to act on principle. We have seen Parliament acting to protect the… https://t.co/ByvKWq1BJB
A victory for the free press and free speech in this country. I am pleased that the government has acted on the concerns raised by myself and over 100 cross-party colleagues in the House of Commons, alongside countless peers in the Lords, brilliantly led by @tinastowell https://t.co/KFMAgDIk6l
We've been lobbying behind the scenes to block the sale of the @Telegraph and the @spectator to the UAE, working with peers to put pressure on the Government, and we're pleased to have played a part in this decision. Freedom of the press must be defended. https://t.co/B5hhzSauW5
The Government will bring forward an amendment at third reading to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill to prevent foreign state ownership of newspapers, Culture Minister Lord Parkinson confirms to the Lords
❓ Live now: #LordsQs on biomass, Covid-19 lockdowns, Scottish government and parental pay gaps. 🔴 Watch live at the link in our bio https://t.co/jzVqiT8WBE
Significant day ahead in the battle for the Telegraph titles. House of Lords due to debate an amendment to give Parliament a veto of media ownership that could block the Abu Dhabi-funded bid - expectation from several parties that Govt will move to appease opposition to the deal
Should the Emiratis be allowed a minority stake in the Telegraph? “Yes, the Emiratis are our allies. But they are also, now, allies of Russia and China and have been buying Putin’s oil and berthing Xi’s ships.” @FraserNelson https://t.co/iF7tRkvjse
UK Weighs Curbs on Chinese Official Visas Over Spy Risk https://t.co/eTYVxdBzSs
Foreign ownership of UK news companies is on the agenda from 3.45pm as #HouseOfLords members continue further scrutiny of the #DigitalMarketsBill. ➡️ Watch online at the link in our bio https://t.co/P4E4dUFrwW
EXC: Rishi Sunak’s government is considering curbing the number of Chinese nationals who can enter the UK on official business over fears the system is being abused to bring spies into Britain
❓ In #LordsQs from 3.05pm: Power generated from biomass is first on the agenda as @RosieBoycott quizzes government on value for the taxpayer and compatibility with net zero targets. 📺 Watch online at the link in our bio 1/4 🔽 https://t.co/cilebbwCOi
The UK government is considering curbing the number of Chinese nationals who can enter the country on official business for China, over fears the system is being abused to bring spies into Britain https://t.co/8avK5Ap08D
🕒 #HouseOfLords from 3pm includes: 🟥 biomass and net zero targets 🟥 Covid-19 lockdowns 🟥 Scottish devolution 🟥 pay disparities between mothers and fathers @PregnantScrewed 🟥 #DigitalMarketsBill ➡️ See full schedule and watch online at the link in our bio https://t.co/aCTVfWTx2E
Does the principle (that governments should not own newspapers) still apply if Emiratis shrink stake to 49% or 15%? My thoughts on the big question, ahead of Lords vote today:- https://t.co/0NuB1ocBhW
Is an Emirati minority stake in the Daily Telegraph a threat to a free press? My thoughts on a new development, ahead of the Lords debate tomorrow https://t.co/0NuB1ocBhW
Is an Emirati minority stake in the Telegraph compatible with a free press? A different question. But still, in my view, an easy one. My case:- https://t.co/0NuB1ocBhW
The Financial Times reports that Rishi Sunak is considering amending existing legislation to give the Government powers to prevent a foreign state from owning a British news organisation. https://t.co/6cHuIx2Phz