David Prosser: What Rupert wants, he usually gets
Digg
del.icio.us
Facebook
Reddit
Google
Stumble Upon
Fark
Newsvine
YahooBuzz
Bebo
Twitter
Independent Minds
Outlook Too little, too late. Ofcom said this week that David Cameron's little faux pas on Absolute Radio this summer – the Conservative Party leader swore twice during a live show – did not constitute a breach of broadcasting rules. But the regulator's leniency will not persuade Mr Cameron to remove it from his crosshairs – the Tories have already singled out Ofcom for the axe should they win the election.
Mr Cameron's new best friend, Rupert Murdoch, must be delighted. The regulator spends much of its time meddling with the broadcasting industry – most notably in recent months, it has told Mr Murdoch's Sky that it must sell on some of its premium sports content, particularly Premier League football, to rivals such as BT at affordable prices.
Are you beginning to smell a rat? Well, how's this for a coincidence of timing? Mr Cameron's plans for Ofcom were announced just 10 days after the regulator handed down its ruling against Sky. More cynical observers of the worlds of politics and big business might conclude that in delivering The Sun's support for Mr Cameron yesterday, Mr Murdoch was repaying a favour.
Such conspiracy theories often prove nothing more than good fun, of course, and Ofcom has plenty of critics. Ed Richards, now the regulator's chief executive, who in effect invented Ofcom while working as an adviser to Tony Blair, is far from universally popular.
Still, Mr Murdoch's enemies could be forgiven a little shudder. Indeed, for those BBC staff working on the broadcaster's web operations – which are driving Mr Murdoch potty as he searches for a way to make his online businesses pay – the Tories' treatment of Ofcom may just be a taste of things to come.
View all comments that have been posted about this article.
Offensive or abusive comments will be removed and your IP logged and may be used to prevent further submission. In submitting a comment to the site, you agree to be bound by the Independent Minds Terms of Service.
- Print Article
- Email Article
-
Click here for copyright permissions
Copyright 2009 Independent News and Media Limited
Comments
unlike tony blair (who had to chase mr murdoch halfway around the world, and adapt his party's very core being to match murdoch's requirements,) cameron is in the fortunate and powerful position of the sun being after HIM and not the other way round.
if cameron takes the bait now he will be forever having to look over his shoulder. it will be as burdensome as knowing - a couple of premiership terms ahead - there will dorian gray like picture in the form of copy of the sun that will one day catch up with you and tell you how rotten you've become.