Newsquest’s planned purchase of 23 titles in the Greater London area from Independent News & Media has been referred to the Competition Commission.
The CC will have to report back to competition minister Melanie John-son by 19 August. In referring the deal, she said: “I reviewed all relevant issues, including competition, concentration of ownership, employment and the need for accurate presentation of news and free expression of opinion.
“This is a large deal and I consider that the proposed transfers give rise to potential concerns regarding concentration of ownership of titles that merit further investigation of the transfers as a whole by the commission before consent could be given.”
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