Rupert Murdoch’s putative bid to merge the operations of The Times and Sunday Times would be decided by an independent regulator in the event of a formal application being made, the government has decided.
News International has already made a number of informal approaches to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport over the matter but a spokesperson stressed they would not look at the issue in advance of a formal application.
In that instance the matter is likely to be passed on to the Competition Commission or Ofcom however, ensuring the neutrality of the government.
Murdoch signed an agreement with the government at the time of his acquisition of the titles promising not to merge them in future.