Public opinion is firmly opposed to Rupert Murdoch's proposed takeover of BSkyB, with voters finally waking up to the fact he has way too much influence over UK politics.
Public opinion is firmly opposed to Rupert Murdoch’s proposed takeover of BSkyB, with voters finally waking up to the fact he has “too much influence” over UK politics. The issue will come to a head this Wednesday, with Ed Miliband calling a Commons debate and vote on the News Corp takeover – a vote he seems certain to win, with Lib Dems backing him and many Tories reluctant to vote against him.
A YouGov poll (pdf) for The Sunday Times revealed, in response to the following questions:
Should the News Corp takeover of BSkyB be allowed? Yes: 9%, No: 70%;
What grounds should the takeover decision be made on? Competition grounds alone: 24%, Should take account of phone hacking: 54%;
What do you think of the original police investigation? Adequate: 6%, Inadequate: 75%;
Is it acceptable to pay the police for information? Yes: 2%, No: 92%;
What do you think of press regulation? PCC should continue: 25%, Parliament should set up a formal regulatory authority: 61%;
When should a public inquiry start? ASAP: 48%, After police investigation concludes: 44%
Who should conduct the investigation into the News of the World? News International themsleves: 6%, Someone from outside the organisation: 90%.
Are tabloids fair and accurate in their reporting? Yes: 9%, No: 71%;
Are tabloids out of control? Yes: 78%, No 14%.
While YouGov’s poll for Avaaz (pdf) found, in response to the following:
What impact will the BSkyB takeover have on the media? It will increase diversity: 4%, It will decrease diversity: 49%;
What impact will the deal have on journalism: Increase journalistic standards: 3%, Decrease journalistic standards: 52%;
What do you think the government takes into account more? Public interest: 14%, Interests of media companies: 43%;
Are Murdoch and other News Corp execs “fit and proper” people to own British media? Yes: 11%, No: 67%;
How much influence does Murdoch have over British politics? Too much: 72%, Not enough: 2%
What do you think of David Cameron’s relationship to Murdoch and News Corporation? Too close: 51%, About right: 12%.
In his commentary, YouGov president Peter Kellner concludes:
“However you look at these results, the picture is bleak for News Corporation. Its executives have a vast challenge to restore public faith in their operations.”
We will have more on the fallout from the phone hacking scandal later today and throughout the week on Left Foot Forward.
56 Responses to “Public turn on Murdoch: 70% oppose BSkyB takeover, 72% say he has “too much influence””
Great Expectations
Public turn on Murdoch: 70% oppose BSkyB takeover, 72% say he has "too much influence": http://bit.ly/rbmmHp #NotW #phonehacking
Chris Pattison
Public turn on Murdoch: 70% oppose BSkyB takeover, 72% say he has "too much influence": http://bit.ly/rbmmHp #NotW #phonehacking
Kayleigh Anne
Public turn on Murdoch: 70% oppose BSkyB takeover, 72% say he has "too much influence": http://bit.ly/rbmmHp #NotW #phonehacking
Anon E Mouse
Selohesra – What is amazing is the hypocrisy from the left – the very author of this article refuses to give up his Sky Sports subscription for example despite constantly whining about big bad Murdoch at every opportunity.
If everyone who subscribed to Sky stopped paying every month that would be it for BSkyB.
I have to admire Ed Miliband for having the guts to take on Rupert Murdoch but two months from now when this is long forgotten the hapless Labour leader will face the full might of the free press and basically all he has done here is guarantee he will never be Prime Minister in this country.
People like Shamik Das here love Sky and willingly hand over their hard earned money every month and if I was anti-Murdoch I certainly wouldn’t spend any of my money supporting him on principal.
It’s called integrity btw and I haven’t noticed any calls to boycott Sky TV yet. Yes everyone is horrified about the listening into private messages and Cameron employing a wrong un like Andy Coulson but that’s hardly the same as making up stories about WMD where thousands of innocent people lose their lives.
Let’s put this in perspective. All the masses care about is celebrity gossip and sex in their Sunday papers and Murdoch will just relaunch the NOTW in a different guise and Labour will not sleep easily in their beds.
jaqi
Public turn on Murdoch: 70% oppose BSkyB takeover, 72% say he has "too much influence": http://bit.ly/rbmmHp #NotW #phonehacking