Press release
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The Media Ownership Authority has decided not to intervene against the Harstad Tidende Group AS’s (HTG) acquisition of TV 10 Harstad, Radio 10 and Media 10. An intervention would have resulted in a reduction of the range of media in the area.
In December 2000 HTG bought all the shares in TV10 Harstad, Radio 10 and Media 10. HTG owned already the only daily newspaper which covers Harstad and the surrounding municipalities, and the Authority concluded therefore that HTG has a significant ownership position in the relevant market. The Authority has nevertheless stated that the acquisitions are not contrary to the purpose of the law. The purpose as set out in Article 1 is "to promote freedom of expression, genuine opportunities to express one’s opinions and a comprehensive range of media". All the acquired companies had serious economic and operational problems, and the alternative to HTG’s acquisition would be for them to go out of business. The Authority has not registered any alternative interested parties who can secure the running of the companies.
The licence period will expire in half a year for local radio and in a year and a half for local television, and the application date for the new licence period for local radio is closed. An intervention by the Authority will not lead to a new round of application. An intervention would therefore greatly reduce the offer of local broadcasting in the area. On this background the Media Ownership Authority concludes that the acquisitions are not contrary the purpose of the law.
The Authority’s decision (in Norwegian) is located on the Internet under www.eierskapstilsynet.no. Copies will also be forwarded on request.
Press contacts: Director General Sigve Gramstad (email sg@eierskapstilsynet.no) or Deputy Director General Gudbrand Guthus (email gg@eierskapstilsynet.no), tel. +47 22 47 68 80.
Last modified 2005-04-13 03:27