Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp 'enjoys astounding access' to government, research shows

Critics say News Corp is too powerful

Rupert Murdoch's company gained the most access to government of any organisation (Reuters)

Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch and his News Corp executives “enjoyed astounding access” to the top tier of British politics, a new analysis has revealed.

Data shows members of the company met with government ministers or advisors on 22 different occasions between April 2015 and September 2016 - more than any organisation across the same time frame.

The meetings took place under both David Cameron and Theresa May's governments.

On 18 occasions, meetings were held with the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Culture Secretary and senior executives, the data, compiled by campaign groups Media Reform Coalition and 38 Degrees.

They examined official records on meetings with organisations not part of government. No details were provided on what was discussed.

Mr Murdoch attended meetings on at least eight occasions, their research found.

In contrast, senior BBC management met with the Prime Minister or Chancellor six times, and Evgeny Lebedev, the owner of the The Independent and London's Evening Standard newspaper, on four occasions.

While most of the meetings took place under the last government, Prime Minister May has met Mr Murdoch once and Robert Thomson, News Corp's chief executive, twice.

“These findings show that Murdoch continues to enjoy astounding access to senior politicians. But more importantly, they throw into question the government’s – and [culture secretary] Karen Bradley’s – judgment when it comes to the UK’s most powerful media baron," said 38 Degrees activist Maggie Chao.

“Now it’s up to Karen Bradley to prove she’s on the public’s side – not Murdoch’s – by ensuring the Sky deal is subject to the highest levels of scrutiny.”

The widely influential News Corp includes the The Sun and The Times brand newspapers. Mr Murdoch also owns 21st Century Fox and 39 per cent of Sky – which he is trying to fully take over.

Ms Bradley could refer the matter to media regulator Ofcom.

Politicians such as Ed Miliband, former Labour leader, have called for the takeover bid to be resisted, in order to avoid “the 'Foxification’ of Sky News”.

Some of Mr Murdoch’s publications have been historically mired in controversy, most significantly the phone hacking scandal, which forced the closure of the News of the World in 2011.

Partly referencing this, Justin Schlosberg, chair of the Media Reform Coalition, said: “Decades of rampant criminality and corruption within the Murdoch newsrooms does not appear to be of concern to the present government, as senior ministers continue to sit down with News Corp bosses at a rate that dwarfs other companies and organisations. It’s as if it’s part of their job description.”

The research also showed Japanese telecoms company Softbank visited Downing Street for meetings on four occasions, while JP Morgan, Siemens, Blackrock, HSBC and the Confederation of Business Industry each visited three times.

The Independent has contacted News Corp and the Department for Culture Media and Sport for comment.