Calls grow to cut Murdoch's grip over news media

Opposition leader Ed Miliband today led calls for revision of media ownership rules to prevent concentration and abuse of power in Britain, where Rupert Murdoch's embattled group came out with another apology promising to make amends in the aftermath of the phone hacking scandal.

Labour leader Miliband articulated a growing opinion when he said that Murdoch wielded too much power through his holdings in the press and television industries.

His comments found support from Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg who also sought a re-examination of media policy to ensure plurality and prevention of concentration of power in the hands of an individual or a group.

Under incessant political attacks, News International, the British arm of Murdoch's News Corp. Placed another advert in a number of Sunday newspapers, declaring that there should be "no place to hide" from the police investigation into phone hacking.

Headed 'Putting right what's gone wrong', the advert states that the company will cooperate fully with the probe and pay "compensation for those affected" and that the organisation was "committed to change".

The advert came a day after the company printed apologies in national newspapers, for the wrongdoings and unethical practices adopted by journalists of the now closed News of the World.

Miliband demanded cross-party agreement on new media ownership laws that would cut Murdoch's current market share, arguing that he has "too much power over British public life".

Besides Miliband, several leaders have been calling for a close look at Murdoch's current media holdings and whether they are "fit and proper" to function according to the law in Britain.

Miliband said that the abandonment by Murdoch's News International of its bid for BSkyB, the resignation of its chief executive Rebekah Brooks and the closure of the News of the World tabloid were insufficient to restore trust and reassure the public.

The Labour leader argued that current media ownership rules are outdated, describing them as "analogue rules for a digital age" that do not take into account the advent of mass digital and satellite broadcasting.

"If you want to minimise the abuses of power then that kind of concentration of power is frankly quite dangerous."

Clegg on his part said there was a need to "look again in the round at the plurality rules to make sure there is proper plurality in the British press".

"A healthy press is a diverse one, where you've got lots of different organisations competing, and that's exactly what we need," he said.

Meanwhile, the statement from News International said the group had no excuses and that it would work on the uphill task of regaining public trust.

"We will not tolerate wrongdoing and will act on any evidence that comes to light."

It said the apologising for mistakes and fixing them were only the first steps.

"It may take some time for us to rebuild trust and confidence, but we are determined to live up to the expectations of our readers, colleagues and partners. We will not stop until these matters are resolved."