OPINION: Communications Bill Can Only Devalue British Broadcasting

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It has taken a little while, but the penny is now starting drop on just how damaging the government's draft Communications Bill could be for British broadcasting.

The proposed legislation - dubbed 'Murdoch's Law' by one journalist - would indeed allow News Corporation, whose interests include The Times, or BSkyB, to buy Channel 5, but not ITV.

But, while nothing can be ruled out, all the signs are that Bertelsmann, the owner of Channel 5, has no intention of selling. Equally, trying to buy Channel 5 does not seem to be a high priority for either News Corp or BSkyB.

And it is difficult to see how a change in ownership of a channel with few public service …