Letter: Lib Dems fight Murdoch hegemony
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Polly Toynbee (article, 4 November) and Angela Eagle (letter, 6 November) have drawn attention to the importance of a single digital set-top box. At the Commons committee stage of the recent Broadcasting Bill, Robert Maclennan and Roger Gale tabled an amendment intended to ensure that all digital set-top boxes would be compatible. The Minister promised to return at the report stage with proposals to bring about a common set-top box.
At the report stage the Government, Labour and the Liberal Democrats all tabled amendments to allow the public to purchase a single set-top box. The Liberal Democrat amendment differed in that it avoided the potential pitfall that market dominance might be achieved before a common standard was agreed. BSkyB now looks set to attain that dominance.
It is hard to avoid the suspicion that fear of the Murdoch media empire lies at the heart of both the Government's and Labour's reluctance to take a strong stand on this issue. The Liberal Democrats will continue to press for a common set-top box.
Lord McNALLY
Lord THOMSON OF MONIFIETH
Liberal Democrat Broadcasting Spokesmen
House of Lords
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments