Hunt's BSkyB takeover decision expected next week
After months of waiting for a decision from culture secretary Jeremy Hunt as to whether he will allow the full takeover of BskyB, it has been reported that he will now put out a seven-day consultation next week.
According to The Guardian, Hunt is expected to give his verdict early next week on the takeover having received a report from media regulator Ofcom on the deal yesterday.
The seven-day consultation is not thought likely to deter him from agreeing that deal should proceed however.
Should the deal proceed, in order to protect ‘media plurality’ which has been highlighted by other media outlets, News International will offload Sky News and lower its shareholding in the channel.
Hunt had been expected to give his verdict in April, although no announcement came.
The National Union of Journalists is fighting the proposal as it opposes the workings of News International, and plans to stage a rally outside the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Headquarters at noon on the day that the decision is made.