CONCENTRATION of media ownership in fewer and fewer hands poses a threat to democracy and fundamental human rights, the European Parliament has warned.
In a decision which will exacerbate tensions between Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi and the European Parliament, leaders of all political groups at the parliament have authorised an investigation into the issue.
Members of the Civil Liberties Committee will now investigate the implications of the media monopolies controlled by Rupert Murdoch and Silvio Berlusconi, as well as the recently authorised merger between ITV companies Carlton and Granada.
London's Green MEP and committee member Jean Lambert said: "A free media is essential for healthy democracy and restrictions on media freedom - whatever their cause - represent an attack on our fundamental rights.
"We will investigate increasing concerns that concentration of media in
ever fewer increasingly powerful hands is posing a threat to media freedom,
and
the impications of that for European democracy."
ENDS
For more information please contact Ben Duncan on 020 7407 6280, 07973
823358 or at press@greenmeps.org.uk