Rupert Murdoch in an interview with the Australian newspaper would like 18 months to consider which candidate in the next British election he wishes to back.I think it would be great for British politics, if Rupert Murdoch kept his opinions to himself. The media mogul, and latterly American citizen, clearly holds vast power owning as he does large chunks of our newspaper Industry the Times and the Sun, the two most influential newspapers in the country. As far as his newspaper ownership is concerned, these businesses work in a competitive environment but his holdings in BSkyB are a different matter which in my household represent a monopoly supplier of Premium subscription television.
The apparent broadcast media monopoly, is something that strangely has gone unchallenged during the current Labour administration. Prior to the 1997 election I believe that Tony Blair met with Mr Murdoch which was followed by the Times and the Sun backing the Labour Party to win the general election. Presumably only these two would no whether deals were done or not, but the fact remains the Sky TV business operates pretty much as a monopoly in this part of the country as we have no cable service to compete.
If it were not for the vast influence that is within Mr Murdoch's grasp in the print media in this country, might there be some questioning of Sky TV. After all politics is a competitive business and who would like to upset a key influential component in that business, not many, not if they wish to have power themselves.
As to who Mr Murdoch chooses, to back in the next general election, I personally give that very little interest, what I would like to see, is a politician who refuses to toady to interfering Australians sorry Americans.
Incidentally much to the indignation of the Flaig household I cancelled my Sky subscription, a couple of weeks ago nearly £600 a year is too much for old films that are now available for a fiver to own, particularly when one of the shareholders is going to tell me who to vote for and there not even British. Opinions from ageing foreign media moguls is another price I'd rather not pay for.
His son's going to take over eventually so its probably not him the political parties need to listen to or woo. In any case he's just playing the political game. He wont come out for one side or the other until much closer to a General Election.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you say, Tony. We don't need his rubbish TV, his rubbish newspapers, or his rubbish political opinions.
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