Radio Authority To “Test” KM Group

The Radio Authority is investigating the Kent Messenger Group following its acquisition of South East Radio, which broadcasts the local station Neptune Radio to Folkestone and Dover.

Under broadcasting law a company which runs a local newspaper cannot also own a local radio station in the same area unless an investigation shows it to be in the public interest.The Kent Messenger Group publishes several of the newspapers in the Folkestone and Dover area including the East Kent Mercury and the Folkestone and Dover KM Extra.

The Radio Authority is therefore conducting a “public interest test” to gauge the validity of the group’s acquisition and to decide whether it should be allowed to stand.

The authority will investigate whether the purchase of South East Radio will lead to a reduction in “plurality of ownership” in the broadcasting and newspaper industries in the area; whether there will be less diversity in the sources of information available because of the acquisition; and whether there will be less diversity of opinion expressed on the radio or in the newspapers.

Radio Authority: 020 7430 2724 www.radioauthority.org.uk

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