MURDOCH GETS HIS WAY (was: Rupert Murdoch Danger - URGENT)
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MURDOCH GETS HIS WAY (was: Rupert Murdoch Danger - URGENT)
Dear friends across the UK,
In 24 hours, nearly half our mass media could be owned by Rupert Murdoch.
For four decades he has interfered with our democracy -- determining election results, bolstering politicians in exchange for influence [placing absurd stories about 'sightings' of Madeleine in The Sun and the News of the World - T.B.], and smearing others who refuse his orders. But he may have finally gone too far -- with just 24 hours left before the decision, the coalition is still deeply divided on Murdoch's bid for BSkyB.
The government is deciding right now whether Murdoch can gain control of one of Britain's largest news corporations. Let's tip the balance against Murdoch's attempt to tighten his grip on our media. Click to send an urgent message directly to key decision makers on the BSkyB bid and send this on to everyone -- let's flood our politicians with tens of thousands of messages telling them we want Murdoch’s hands off our democracy:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_rupert_murdoch_uk/?vl
Murdoch has used his vast media empire to push war in Iraq, elect George W Bush, and block global action on climate change, and if he wins this week in Britain he will use his networks here to undermine all the issues that we care about. He has manipulated US, British and Australian democracy for years, but now he wants more complete control. In the US, most of the likely Republican presidential candidates are actually paid employees of Murdoch! When his Fox News Network was shunned by Barack Obama as a mere propaganda mouthpiece, it spawned the far right "tea party"and broadcast constant, often hate-filled attacks against Obama and his healthcare and peace agenda -- resulting in a huge win for Republicans in the 2010 congressional elections.
Murdoch media staff have trampled laws and standards when gathering news. Several News Corporation executives approved phone hacking and, when a formal investigation began, they had regular secret meetings with senior police officers who then failed to investigate the full extent of the scandal. Our government should punish such an organisation, not allow it monopoly powers over our media. But if Rupert Murdoch is allowed to buy all of BSkyB this week, he will soon own half of our newspapers and television. This should not be allowed in any democracy.
We can turn the tide on this powerful threat to our democracy. In the end the News of the World phone hacking scandal forced David Cameron’s communications director to resign. And a mass outcry from Canadian Avaaz members recently prevented a Murdoch-style TV network from getting taxpayer funding and stopped the Canadian government from removing the journalistic standards that would prevent this new network from spreading lies to the public. The fight against Murdoch has just begun, but already we've begun to win. Let's do the same in Britain! Click below to send an urgent message and send this on to everyone:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_rupert_murdoch_uk/?vl
The power of Avaaz and of this moment in our world's history, is the power of unity. Across the Arab world and beyond, people are coming together in common cause across all boundaries. Murdoch's power is the ability to divide. His networks spew fear and misinformation, dividing left from right, citizens from foreigners, muslim from western, immigrants from non-immigrants, etc. Murdoch knows that democracy must be divided before it can be conquered. This week, let's show him what unity looks like.
With hope,
Ricken, Alex, Emma, Sam, Milena, Alice, Iain, Morgan, Maria Paz and the whole Avaaz team
Sources:
Murdoch close to deal with regulators over Sky
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a40fc482-4060-11e0-9140-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz1FHWHwqJE
If Murdoch gets BSkyB, it will be a victory for monopoly capitalism
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/feb/27/rupert-murdoch-bskyb-monopolies
'News of World' bosses dined with Met chief
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/news-of-world-bosses-dined-with-met-chief-2222814.html
Who is Rupert Murdoch?
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2004/07/b122948.html
Support the Avaaz community! We're entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way -- donate here.
Our democracy is at risk. Media-mogul Rupert Murdoch wants to extend his massive political influence by taking over BSkyB and controlling nearly half the British media! We have just 24 hours to press the government to stand up for British media and democracy and stop Rupert Murdoch: |
For four decades he has interfered with our democracy -- determining election results, bolstering politicians in exchange for influence [placing absurd stories about 'sightings' of Madeleine in The Sun and the News of the World - T.B.], and smearing others who refuse his orders. But he may have finally gone too far -- with just 24 hours left before the decision, the coalition is still deeply divided on Murdoch's bid for BSkyB.
The government is deciding right now whether Murdoch can gain control of one of Britain's largest news corporations. Let's tip the balance against Murdoch's attempt to tighten his grip on our media. Click to send an urgent message directly to key decision makers on the BSkyB bid and send this on to everyone -- let's flood our politicians with tens of thousands of messages telling them we want Murdoch’s hands off our democracy:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_rupert_murdoch_uk/?vl
Murdoch has used his vast media empire to push war in Iraq, elect George W Bush, and block global action on climate change, and if he wins this week in Britain he will use his networks here to undermine all the issues that we care about. He has manipulated US, British and Australian democracy for years, but now he wants more complete control. In the US, most of the likely Republican presidential candidates are actually paid employees of Murdoch! When his Fox News Network was shunned by Barack Obama as a mere propaganda mouthpiece, it spawned the far right "tea party"and broadcast constant, often hate-filled attacks against Obama and his healthcare and peace agenda -- resulting in a huge win for Republicans in the 2010 congressional elections.
Murdoch media staff have trampled laws and standards when gathering news. Several News Corporation executives approved phone hacking and, when a formal investigation began, they had regular secret meetings with senior police officers who then failed to investigate the full extent of the scandal. Our government should punish such an organisation, not allow it monopoly powers over our media. But if Rupert Murdoch is allowed to buy all of BSkyB this week, he will soon own half of our newspapers and television. This should not be allowed in any democracy.
We can turn the tide on this powerful threat to our democracy. In the end the News of the World phone hacking scandal forced David Cameron’s communications director to resign. And a mass outcry from Canadian Avaaz members recently prevented a Murdoch-style TV network from getting taxpayer funding and stopped the Canadian government from removing the journalistic standards that would prevent this new network from spreading lies to the public. The fight against Murdoch has just begun, but already we've begun to win. Let's do the same in Britain! Click below to send an urgent message and send this on to everyone:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_rupert_murdoch_uk/?vl
The power of Avaaz and of this moment in our world's history, is the power of unity. Across the Arab world and beyond, people are coming together in common cause across all boundaries. Murdoch's power is the ability to divide. His networks spew fear and misinformation, dividing left from right, citizens from foreigners, muslim from western, immigrants from non-immigrants, etc. Murdoch knows that democracy must be divided before it can be conquered. This week, let's show him what unity looks like.
With hope,
Ricken, Alex, Emma, Sam, Milena, Alice, Iain, Morgan, Maria Paz and the whole Avaaz team
Sources:
Murdoch close to deal with regulators over Sky
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a40fc482-4060-11e0-9140-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz1FHWHwqJE
If Murdoch gets BSkyB, it will be a victory for monopoly capitalism
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/feb/27/rupert-murdoch-bskyb-monopolies
'News of World' bosses dined with Met chief
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/news-of-world-bosses-dined-with-met-chief-2222814.html
Who is Rupert Murdoch?
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2004/07/b122948.html
Support the Avaaz community! We're entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way -- donate here.
Tony Bennett- Researcher
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Re: MURDOCH GETS HIS WAY (was: Rupert Murdoch Danger - URGENT)
If the govt has any sense at all they should refused his takeover.
They should never allow empire building to the extent of getting close to a monopoly situation. Monopoly market without competition is not good for the public and is also can be dangerous for the govt. -- fall out with the Media Mongul and politicians can find themselves without a platform to air their voice. Or their voice will be heavily controlled and censored as the Press see fits.
They should never allow empire building to the extent of getting close to a monopoly situation. Monopoly market without competition is not good for the public and is also can be dangerous for the govt. -- fall out with the Media Mongul and politicians can find themselves without a platform to air their voice. Or their voice will be heavily controlled and censored as the Press see fits.
aiyoyo- Posts : 9610
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Re: MURDOCH GETS HIS WAY (was: Rupert Murdoch Danger - URGENT)
BTW I wonder why Murdoch's empire hired CM - was it because he's very effective in the role he was hired for or was it b/c of his past connection (and probably still hold some clouts) with politicians or was it b/c he's MI5 (or is it MI6) as rumoured? Or was it a combination of the latter two?
aiyoyo- Posts : 9610
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Re: MURDOCH GETS HIS WAY (was: Rupert Murdoch Danger - URGENT)
There was a Bond film about this exact situation. "Tomorrows news today. "aiyoyo wrote:If the govt has any sense at all they should refused his takeover.
They should never allow empire building to the extent of getting close to a monopoly situation. Monopoly market without competition is not good for the public and is also can be dangerous for the govt. -- fall out with the Media Mongul and politicians can find themselves without a platform to air their voice. Or their voice will be heavily controlled and censored as the Press see fits.
Update
Update from avaaz.org issued 5.23pm today:
"Wow - 30,000 UK messages and phone calls to Parliament today and momentum building with hours left to go".
"Wow - 30,000 UK messages and phone calls to Parliament today and momentum building with hours left to go".
Tony Bennett- Researcher
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Autumn- Posts : 2603
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Re: MURDOCH GETS HIS WAY (was: Rupert Murdoch Danger - URGENT)
Autumn wrote:
Done.
Me too
listener- Posts : 643
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Rupert Murdoch gets his way - after all. this deal was stitched up a year before the General Election - it was Murdoch's price for backing the Conservatives
AS PREDICTED
Rupert Murdoch BSkyB takeover gets government go ahead
The takeover saga has raised questions over News Corp's dominance of UK media
Related Stories
Rupert Murdoch BSkyB takeover gets government go ahead
The takeover saga has raised questions over News Corp's dominance of UK media
Related Stories
- Murdoch agrees Sky News disposal
- TV income boosts News Corp profit
- BSkyB reports big jump in profits
Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation has been given government approval for its controversial takeover of BSkyB.
The green light follows News Corp's offer to spin-off Sky News as an independent company.
The decision follows concerns about the concentration of media outlets in the hands of one organisation. News Corp, which owns the Sun, the News of the World, the Times and the Sunday Times, is looking to take over the 61% of BSkyB that it does not own.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he intended to accept News Corp's offer rather than refer the takeover to the Competition Commission.
Ofcom, the UK media regulator, had said the deal should be referred to the commission. The European Commission has already ruled there is no reason to oppose the takeover on competition grounds.
News Corp said it welcomed Mr Hunt's decision.
It said it noted Ofcom's opinion to the culture secretary that it considered that "the revised proposed undertakings would address [its] plurality concerns".
Opponents will have until 21 March to lodge any complaints.
A number of media groups have opposed the takeover, including the Guardian, Associated Newspapers, Trinity Mirror and the Telegraph.
"We shall be vigorously contesting this whitewash of a proposal during the consultation period, as well examining all legal options," they said in a joint statement.
'More independence'
Mr Hunt, responsible for deciding whether to allow the takeover, said he believed News Corp's offer to hive off Sky News would "address concerns about media plurality".
QUOTE: "Correspondence published today between Mr Hunt and News Corp indicates that News Corp has - under pressure - made greater concessions than it wanted to”
Robert Peston Business editor, BBC News - Why Jeremy Hunt is allowing BSkyB takeover
"The undertakings offered would ensure that shareholdings in Sky News would remain unchanged, and indeed offer it more independence from New Corporation than it currently has," he said.
Under the terms of News Corp's proposals, the board of Sky News would have a non-executive, independent chairman and a majority of non-executive, independent directors.
News Corp has proposed that shares in Sky News be distributed among existing shareholders, with Mr Murdoch's company maintaining its 39% holding.
It would not be allowed to increase its shareholding without the permission of the culture secretary for 10 years.
It has also offered to provide funding in the form of "a substantial revenue stream" to Sky News for 10 years.
Media analyst Steve Hewlett told the BBC the offer "rolls forward the status quo, but with an independent chairman and board".
The funding commitment and continued shareholding ensures that News Corp "has a long-term interest in Sky News prospering," he added.
BBC business editor Robert Peston said Mr Hunt's decision heralded "huge changes to the landscape of the British media industry".
A combined News Corp and BSkyB would generate revenues that would "dwarf all rivals, even the BBC", he said.
Global interests
Mr Murdoch has made no secret of his desire to gain control of BSkyB.
The broadcaster made a pre-tax profit of £465m in the last six months of 2010, with revenues of £3.2bn.
"BSkyB is doing very well, and News Corp considers Sky's pay-TV service as the best in the world," said Mr Hewlett.
News Corp has many interests outside the UK, including the Fox broadcast and cable networks, 20th Century Fox film studios, Harper Collins book publisher, and newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal.
Tony Bennett- Researcher
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Re: MURDOCH GETS HIS WAY (was: Rupert Murdoch Danger - URGENT)
Jeremy Hunt has announced that he will allow Rupert Murdoch to takeover BSkyB. In order to get the deal through Murdoch has offered to not takeover Sky News, as a tiny concession.
This deal won’t protect our media or our democracy from Murdoch’s influence. He’ll still fund Sky News and still have directors on the board. Murdoch made these promises before when he took over The Times, but these promises were not worth the paper they were written on.
The fight isn’t over yet, but we have to act quickly if we want to stop this takeover Email your MP today to let them know we aren’t fooled by this whitewash.
Enter your postcode to get started
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/speakout/BSkyB_Hunt_Murdoch_Whitewash
This deal won’t protect our media or our democracy from Murdoch’s influence. He’ll still fund Sky News and still have directors on the board. Murdoch made these promises before when he took over The Times, but these promises were not worth the paper they were written on.
The fight isn’t over yet, but we have to act quickly if we want to stop this takeover Email your MP today to let them know we aren’t fooled by this whitewash.
Enter your postcode to get started
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/speakout/BSkyB_Hunt_Murdoch_Whitewash
Re: MURDOCH GETS HIS WAY (was: Rupert Murdoch Danger - URGENT)
Democracy has only ever been an illusion. Murdoch is on the verge of gaining the power to make it more of an illusion. Bring on the Big Society
Judge Mental- Posts : 2762
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Re: MURDOCH GETS HIS WAY (was: Rupert Murdoch Danger - URGENT)
It's crazy. I cant believe the govt actually support the takeover.
This govt is as clueless and self serving like all the rest before.
This govt is as clueless and self serving like all the rest before.
aiyoyo- Posts : 9610
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