The furore over Vince Cable's remarks about BSkyB disguises a serious political issue that arises from a contradiction in the way in which competition issues are handled (Report, 30 December). The Competition Commission has shown limited understanding of the real world, as evidenced by its decision on the takeover of convenience stores by Tesco and Sainsbury's, and its failure to get to grips with the domination of the supermarkets over their suppliers.
The commission tends to adopt an overly academic approach in which certain quantitative criteria are given undue weight in an attempt to provide a spurious objectivity, at the expense of an understanding of the reality of business relationships and other social, economic and environmental issues which are political in nature. Vince Cable is right in implying that decisions over cases such as BSkyB should ultimately be political ones ? albeit based on a clear policy stance. The basic problem with News International's complaint about "due process" is the treatment of economic and political questions in a quasi-legal manner. This serves to put the focus on whatever hard data the commission comes up with, downplaying qualitative judgments.
Christopher Swain
Henham, Essex
? An ICM poll on whether Rupert Murdoch should be allowed to purchase the remaining 61% of BSkyB showed only 5% in favour with 44% against the deal with opposition strongly against in all three political parties. Clearly Ofcom would be wise to take the public's clearly expressed views on this matter. It is relatively easy to stop this takeover now, more difficult to reverse it in the future. A complete review of the issue of media ownership, control and use is long overdue. There is too much potential for abuse of the media both commercially and politically. Perhaps we should copy one aspect of US legislation: only those with US nationality can own large chunks of the US media.
Brian Bean
London
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/dec/31/bskyb-deal-a-political-issue
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