Britain plans to amend laws to ban foreign ownership, influence and control of British newspapers, people familiar with the plans said on Wednesday, a move reported by Abu Dhabi-backed Red Bird IMI to The Telegraph. could threaten an acquisition by
The government plans to outline its own amendments, which would give ministers the power to block the deal, when it begins debate in the upper house of parliament later on Wednesday, the people said.
The decision comes as Britain is using a separate regulatory process to consider whether to allow Jeff Zucker’s Redbird’s bid for the Telegraph.
The dispute over one of Britain’s most famous newspapers has raised questions about media independence and the role of foreign investors in acquiring assets that could undermine press freedom.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said the government would make its position clear in a debate later on Wednesday.
