LONDON (Alliance News) - The government will intervene in Trinity Mirror's GBP126.7 million deal to buy a string of titles from Richard Desmond's media empire on public interest grounds, UK Culture Secretary Matt Hancock has said.
Hancock's move to issue a so-called public interest intervention notice for the Trinity deal means watchdogs Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority must now report on the media public interest considerations and on any competition issues by May 31.
Hancock said he would then decide whether to refer the merger for a more detailed investigation.
In a statement to the Commons, Mr Hancock said: "On 23 April I confirmed that I had written to Trinity Mirror plc and Northern & Shell Media Group Ltd to inform them that I was minded to issue a Public Interest Intervention Notice on the basis that I had concerns that there may be two public interest considerations - as set out in the Enterprise Act 2002 - relevant to consideration of the merger."
"The first public interest ground is the need for free expression of opinion, and concerns the potential impact the transfer of newspapers would have on editorial decision making.
"The second public interest ground is the need for a sufficient plurality of views in newspapers, to the extent that it is reasonable or practicable.
"I invited written representations from the parties by 26 April and, having considered these, I have written to the parties today confirming my decision to issue a Public Interest Intervention Notice on both grounds."
source: Press Association