Ministers thwart Murdoch's ambition for terrestrial TV

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Leading article: Switched on

Rupert Murdoch's ambition to buy one of Britain's terrestrial broadcasters was thwarted yesterday when the Government refused to change media ownership restrictions.

And, in what appeared to be a swipe at the media magnate, a statement from Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture and Media, and Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, said: "The question of who owns our newspapers, television and radio is vital to democracy." The Government's consultation paper on media ownership, precursor to the Broadcasting Bill, said the rule preventing non-EU companies from buying into terrestrial television must be kept, as there were no reciprocal arrangements in the US or Australia. However, some analysts said Mr Murdoch could exploit a loophole in the ruling because his BSkyB company is regarded as a European company.