Labour call for tighter media regulations

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Tighter media regulation rules should be introduced following News Corporation’s failed takeover bid of BSkyB, the Commons has heard.

Shadow culture secretary Ivan Lewis called on the government to introduce a wider public interest test and allow Ofcom to set a proper test when considering media takeovers.

Speaking during departmental questions, culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said he understood the need for changes to merger rules but safeguards had already been set in place when it came to checking whether an individual was suitable to hold a broadcasting licence.

Lewis said that throughout the BSkyB process the culture secretary had maintained he could only consider plurality, and allegations about phone-hacking and other illegal practices were “not covered by the relevant information”.

He asked: "Is he now willing to work with me and the right hon. Member for Bath (Mr Foster) to introduce amendments to the current legislation on an all-party basis to include a wider public interest test and to allow regulators to apply a “fit and proper person” test?

"That would close loopholes in advance of the longer-term reform of media ownership that will come as a result of Lord Justice Leveson’s recommendations."

In response, Hunt said: "If the bid were to be re-presented, under the Enterprise Act it would count as a new bid and as the secretary of state, I would have the power to refer it to Ofcom on the basis of broadcasting standards, media plurality or indeed national security, so safeguards exist.

"But if what you are really trying to say is that Rupert Murdoch and his children are evil and must be stopped at all costs, then just wait until you see the godfather."

He said that the Communications Act 2003, introduced by the Labour government, required the telecoms regulator to ensure that all holders of broadcast licences were fit and proper at all times.

Hunt added the government wants to work to strengthen the powers already in place to "avoid what happened before happening again".

The culture secretary was responding to Alex Cunningham (Lab, Stockton North) who asked whether tougher laws were needed when it came to cross-media ownership.

Hunt replied: "I do agree with you that we need to look very carefully at cross-media ownership laws.

"I agree with you as well that this needs to be done on a cross-media basis. It is not about dominance of any individual platform any more and we need to look at whether the merger rules for media takeovers work as effectively as they might."

He said the government would also look carefully at the findings of the Leveson Inquiry in to the scandal.

During topical questions, Tom Watson (Lab, West Bromwich East) highlighted the questioning of Guardian journalist Amelia Hill by police investigating leads from the phone hacking probe.

He said: "There is a world of difference between a journalist who bribes a police officer for information and a journalist who gets information from a police officer, freely given.

"The former corrodes our democracy, while the latter protects it."

Hunt refused to comment on the case but added that there is a "very important difference" between off-the-record briefings and the payment of money to the police in return for information.

In other exchanges, Gavin Shuker (Luton South) asked what recent representations had been received on broadcasting rights for Formula One races.

The Labour MP said: "Formula One, and motorsport more generally in this country, is a multi-bullion pound industry with names such as Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull effectively becoming great British brands.

"Following the shameful decision of the BBC to sell-out to Sky, what will you do to protect this industry so it isn't sold out in the same way as many fans who are going to have poor quality coverage for the next decade are being sold out?"

Responding for the government, sports minister Hugh Robertson said the decisions the BBC makes about how to spend its budget are "a matter for it alone".

He told MPs the government list of sports events which must remain on free-to-air channels has never included Formula One.

Robertson added: "There was not significant pressure to put it on the list."

But the minister pledged the decision would be reviewed when the list is next scrutinised in 2013.