Mixed messages on media ownership

Media mogul, Rupert Murdoch

Plans to deregulate the ownership of British television and radio come under attack from a committee of MPs, but the government says it will push through the legislation.

The Communications Bill, published in May, proposes lifting the present ban on non-EU companies - in other words, American companies - buying into ITV or Channel 5. ]

It also includes what's become seen as a "Murdoch" clause - organisations like Mr Murdoch's News International, which have more than a 20% share of the national newspaper market, would in future be allowed to own Channel 5, though not ITV.

Lord David Puttnam

This important and far-reaching legislation has been reviewed by an all-party scrutiny committee before it begins its passage through Parliament - and the result makes uncomfortable reading for ministers.

Instead of merely recommending improvements and refinements, the committee concludes that the case for the Murdoch clause has not yet been made - and that American ownership should not be allowed without a three-year review by the new regulator, Ofcom.

I did not see in all our deliberations any vendetta against Sky or an obsession with Mr Murdoch

Lord McNally, Committee member

On today's programme we hear from a Labour MP and from the film director and Chairman of the Committee, Lord David Puttnam.

Customs

Smokers and drinkers whose cross-channel shopping-trips end in a nasty confrontation with British customs will be encouraged by a court case which ended today: the High Court ruled that Customs and Excise have been acting unlawfully in stopping travellers, seizing their alcohol and tobacco, and sometimes confiscating their cars.

It follows the threat of legal action against Britain by the European Union, which says that member countries have no right to impose extra taxes on each other's travellers.

Today's case was brought by the owners of Hoverspeed and a group of day-trippers who complained that goods they'd bought in France for their personal consumption were considered as contraband.

Customs and Excise have been given leave to appeal, but in the meantime large numbers of people - not least the ten thousand whose cars have been sold or crushed - may be considering action to recover their losses.

We question John Healey, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, whose responsibilities include customs about the current policy.

To hear the interviews with the World At One's Nick Clarke, click on the audio links above.