Part 3U.K.Mergers

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Pt. 3 (ss. 22-130) modified (20.6.2003) by 1998 c. 41, Sch. 7 para. 20(3) (as substituted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 185, 279, {Sch. 11 para. 11(2)-(4)(8)}; S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)

C2Pt. 3 applied (with modifications) (29.12.2004) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56), Sch. 4ZA paras. 1, 2 (as inserted by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 70(2), 279, Sch. 6); S.I. 2004/3233, art. 2, Sch. (with transitional provisions and savings in arts. 3-5)

C3Pt. 3 (ss. 22-130) applied (1.10.2005) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56), s. 17M(4) (as inserted by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 56, 105(3), Sch. 4 para. 2); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 2(h) (with Sch. para. 5)

C10Pt. 3 excluded (28.6.2022) by 1992 c. 13, s. 56E(9B) (as inserted (E.W.) by Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 (c. 21), ss. 23(3)(f), 36(2))

C11Pt. 3 excluded (28.6.2022) by 1992 c. 13, s. 56A(9B) (as inserted (E.W.) by Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 (c. 21), ss. 23(2)(f), 36(2))

C12Pt. 3 modified (1.7.2022) by 2006 c. 41, s. 72A (as inserted by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), ss. 83(1), 186(6); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30))

C13Pt. 3 modified (E.W.) (29.12.2004) by The Water Mergers (Modification of Enactments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/3202), regs. 2-35 (as amended (1.4.2014) by S.I. 2014/549, art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 22 (with art. 3); (18.12.2015) by S.I. 2015/1936, regs. 1, 3-20; (6.12.2023) by S.I. 2023/1185, arts. 1(2), 9-27); and (23.8.2024) by S.I. 2024/840, regs. 1(1), 3-7; and (1.1.2025) by S.I. 2024/1234, regs. 1(1), 3-10 (with reg. 11))

Chapter 2U.K.Public interest cases

OtherU.K.

58 Specified considerationsU.K.

F1(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F3(2A)The need for—

(a)accurate presentation of news; and

(b)free expression of opinion;

in [F4news media] is specified in this section.

(2B)The need for, to the extent that it is reasonable and practicable, a sufficient plurality of views in [F5news media] in each market for [F5news media] in the United Kingdom or a part of the United Kingdom is specified in this section.

(2C)The following are specified in this section—

(a)the need, in relation to every different audience in the United Kingdom or in a particular area or locality of the United Kingdom, for there to be a sufficient plurality of persons with control of the media enterprises serving that audience;

(b)the need for the availability throughout the United Kingdom of a wide range of broadcasting which (taken as a whole) is both of high quality and calculated to appeal to a wide variety of tastes and interests; and

(c)the need for persons carrying on [F6enterprises consisting in or involving broadcasting], and for those with control of such enterprises, to have a genuine commitment to the attainment in relation to broadcasting of the standards objectives set out in section 319 of the Communications Act 2003.]

[F7(2D)The interest of maintaining the stability of the UK financial system is specified in this section F8....]

[F9(2E)The need to maintain in the United Kingdom the capability to combat, and to mitigate the effects of, public health emergencies is specified in this section.]

[F10(2F)In this Part, “news media” means—

(a)newspapers; or

(b)news programmes.

(2G)In this Part, “news programme” means a programme—

(a)consisting of, or including, news-related material; and

(b)included in broadcasting.

(2H)For the purposes of subsection (2G)—

(a)“news-related material” includes—

(i)news or information about current affairs; and

(ii)opinion about matters relating to the news and current affairs;

(b)a programme is not to be treated as consisting of, or including, news-related material if the news-related material contained in the programme—

(i)is included only incidentally to the main content of the programme; or

(ii)relates wholly to a particular pastime, hobby, trade, business, industry or profession.]

(3)The Secretary of State may by order modify this section for the purpose of specifying in this section a new consideration or removing or amending any consideration which is for the time being specified in this section.

(4)An order under this section may, in particular—

(a)provide for a consideration to be specified in this section for a particular purpose or purposes or for all purposes;

(b)apply in relation to cases under consideration by the [F11CMA, OFCOM] or the Secretary of State before the making of the order as well as cases under consideration on or after the making of the order.

Textual Amendments

F3S. 58(2A)-(2C) inserted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 375(1), 411(2)(3) (with transitional provisions in Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (subject to arts. 3(3), 11)

F7S. 58(2D) inserted (24.10.2008) (with application in accordance with art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Enterprise Act 2002 (Specification of Additional Section 58 Consideration) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2645), arts. 1(1), 2