UK set to ban foreign states from owning British papers

Rishi Sunak's government is set to change the law to ban foreign states from owning, influencing or controlling British newspapers in a move threatening the Abu Dhabi-backed bid for The Daily Telegraph and The Spectator.

- ANDY GREGORY

The government outlined its plans in a House of Lords debate yesterday, which would empower the culture secretary to block any deals found to pave the way for foreign ownership or influence.

The commitment to banning foreign state ownership of national newspapers and periodical news magazines will come in an amendment to the third reading of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, which is currently making its way through parliament. Ministers are expected to bring forward an amendment to the legislation as soon as next Tuesday.

A government spokesperson said: “We have listened carefully to the arguments made by parliamentarians in recent weeks, and are taking action to explicitly rule out foreign state ownership, influence or control of newspapers and periodical news magazines.

“This will deliver additional protections for a free press, a pillar of our democracy and a priority for the government. While our media merger regime already provides protection for accuracy of the news and free expression of views, which allows for the consideration of foreign state ownership, we will bring forward an amendment that puts the position beyond doubt.”