Tory MP Jeremy Hunt has taken the job of overseeing media issues as the new Conservative-Lib Dem Cabinet took shape this afternoon.

Mr Hunt was confirmed in the job of Secretary of State for Culture, Media, Sport and the Olympics at 5pm.

A controversial figure to some within the industy, he led the fight against aspects of Labour’s Digital Economy Bill while shadowing the role in opposition.

His appointment is likely to sound the death knell for the proposed independently-funded regional TV news consortia (IFNCs) which he vowed to scrap before the election.

The policy agreement between the Lib Dems and the Tories published today also includes several key pledges on issues affecting the media.

The document published this afternoon promises “a review of the libel laws to protect freedom of speech,” which could lead to the reintroduction of measures to cap so-called ‘success fees’ which failed to reach the statute book in the dying days of Labour.

There will also be an “extension of the Freedom of Information Act to provide greater transparency.

A more detailed version of the seven-page document, thrashed out over several days of negotiation between the Tory and Lib Dem teams, is expected to be published next week.

Comments

hilary (12/05/2010 17:36:32)
Murdoch wins!