UK regulators unveil ‘joined-up’ approach ahead of Big Tech crackdown March 10, 2021 Three major UK watchdogs have outlined their “joined-up” approach to digital regulation this morning as authorities prepare to crack down on Big Tech. The Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DCRF), which includes Ofcom, the Competition Markets Authority (CMA) and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), today unveiled its first annual plan for co-ordinating new regulation across online [...]
Piers Morgan quits Good Morning Britain after Meghan Markle comments March 9, 2021 Piers Morgan has quit ITV’s breakfast show Good Morning Britain shortly after Ofcom launched an investigation into his comments about Meghan Markle. A spokesperson for ITV said: “Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain. ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add.” [...]
Goldman-backed broadband firm Cityfibre plots major stake sale March 8, 2021 Challenger broadband firm Cityfibre is preparing the sale of a major stake to a new investor in a deal said to be worth hundreds of millions of pounds The London-based company has tapped bankers at UBS and Rothschild to identify a third backer, Sky News reported. The buyer would join the two existing investors West [...]
BT denies boardroom rift led to chairman’s resignation March 8, 2021 BT has hit back at reports that a boardroom row led to its chairman’s resignation, insisting there was “no misalignment” over the company’s strategy. Sky News last week reported that chief executive Philip Jansen threatened to resign unless Jan du Plessis stepped down as chairman. The veteran South African director announced his departure a week [...]
Businesses of all stripes have stepped up to the Covid-19 challenge March 6, 2021 The private sector has already played a crucial role in the fight against Covid-19. Not only have some of the world’s largest companies developed crucial vaccines and life-saving treatments, but the private sector more broadly has also played a more indirect – yet still highly important – role in supporting the public sector as it [...]
BT boss Philip Jansen ‘gave ultimatum’ over chairman’s departure March 5, 2021 BT chief executive Philip Jansen is said to have given the board an ultimatum over his own future at the company that led to the departure of the chairman this week. Jansen told fellow directors that he was prepared to resign unless the telecoms behemoth replaced Jan du Plessis as chairman, Sky News report. Du [...]
BBC Three to return to TV screens after Normal People and Fleabag success March 2, 2021 BBC Three will return as a broadcast TV channel next year after delivering a string of recent hits such as Normal People, Fleabag and Killing Eve. The youth-focused channel was made online-only in 2016 as part of a cost-cutting plan by the public service broadcaster. But after a run of popular shows over the last [...]
O2’s £31bn Virgin Media merger ‘will help UK pandemic recovery’, says CEO February 25, 2021 O2’s proposed £31bn tie-up with Virgin Media will accelerate investment in telecoms infrastructure and bolster the UK’s post-pandemic recovery, the mobile network’s boss has said. The mega-merger, agreed last year by O2 owner Telefonica and Virgin Media parent Liberty Global, is facing an in-depth probe by regulators amid concerns it could harm competition. But O2 [...]
Review into Hong Kong’s only independent broadcaster sparks media freedom concerns February 19, 2021 A Hong Kong government review launched today into the city’s only independent broadcaster has sparked concerns over media freedoms in the region. The publicly funded outlet Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) was found to have editorial management “deficiencies” and inadequate transparency of complaints following an unprecedented government-led review. Founded in 1928, the broadcaster is the [...]
O2 hit with £10.5m Ofcom fine after overcharging customers February 12, 2021 O2 has been slapped with a £10.5m fine after a billing error meant the mobile network overcharged thousands of customers. More than 250,000 customers were presented with inflated bills when they left the network due to a system error that doubled up some charges. Roughy 140,000 people actually paid the extra fees between 2011 and [...]