UK to ban foreign governments from owning newspapers | Semafor
UK bans foreign governments from owning newspapers and magazines due to concerns over editorial independence.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read
The UK has announced a ban on foreign governments owning newspapers and magazines in the country, sparking a global discussion on foreign influence in traditional media and social platforms like TikTok. The decision comes amidst worries about a UAE-linked firm’s potential acquisition of The Telegraph and The Spectator, leading to concerns over editorial independence. The ban will exclude foreign state ownership but not extend to broadcast media. This move has disappointed the Emirati entity seeking to buy the newspapers, stating their intent was purely for investment purposes. Other countries are also considering similar bans on foreign media ownership, including a proposed bill in the US targeting TikTok’s Chinese parent company.