Britain said on Tuesday it would refer the UAE-led takeover of the Telegraph for a lengthy review, a move that will effectively kill the deal because a law banning foreign governments owning newspapers is due to come into force in coming months. Abu Dhabi-backed RedBird IMI took control of the Telegraph titles and the Spectator...
Mansions, university facilities, think tanks, sports teams — the U.K. is no stranger to Gulf money and multibillion-dollar investments streaming from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia into British institutions. But newspapers? That’s a hard stop, apparently. The latest investment pursuit flowing westward from one of the U.K.’s close Gulf allies, the UAE,...
Foreign state control of British newspapers is to be outlawed, effectively blocking the UAE’s attempted takeover of The Telegraph. Ministers revealed plans on Wednesday “explicitly to rule out newspaper and periodical news magazine mergers involving ownership, influence or control by foreign states”. The move, announced by Lord Parkinson, the culture minister, was made to see off a...
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean’s bold stance against foreign influence in British media has ignited a debate on press freedom and ownership, raising concerns over censorship and editorial independence. Explore the implications of the proposed UAE-backed acquisition of the Telegraph newspapers and The Spectator, and the legislative responses advocating for safeguards to protect editorial independence and...
Reporters would not be able to speak freely under proposed new Gulf state owners, says co-founder of the Art Newspaper. A journalist has revealed how she was sacked for criticising the royal family of the United Arab Emirates as she warned that Telegraph journalists would not be able to speak freely if a planned takeover...
Abu Dhabi-backed RedBird IMI faces further regulatory scrutiny of its £600mn planned takeover of the Telegraph Media Group following UK government concerns about a proposal to overhaul its corporate structure for the business. RedBird IMI wants to create a holding company via a new English limited partnership to acquire the newspaper group, as part of...
The Abu Dhabi fund pursuing a takeover of The Telegraph has been accused of “last-minute smoke and mirrors” after it revised the deal prompting further delays and uncertainty. Writing in The Telegraph, the former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the changes were “undoubtedly an attempt to convince the regulators and responsible ministers that...
Move is aimed to ensure the Government’s review of the proposed deal is not impeded upon. The Culture Secretary has blocked an Abu Dhabi-backed fund from taking control of The Telegraph while she carries out a review of a proposed takeover deal. Lucy Frazer today issued a “hold separate” order that prohibits ownership of the...
This paper has a proud history of promoting women’s voices, including mine. It has to continue in that vein. Our government has passed the ;rst test. In issuing a Public Interest Intervention Notice (PIIN) in response to the United Arab Emirates funded bid to buy the Telegraph titles and The Spectator magazine, culture secretary Lucy...
Lord Hague comes out against ‘disturbing’ UAE attempt to buy The Telegraph. Lord Hague has described The Telegraph’s proposed takeover by Abu Dhabi as “disturbing” and one that “should be prevented”. The former foreign secretary called on Lucy Frazer, the Culture Secretary, to intervene by triggering a regulatory investigation in the public interest. Writing in...