UK government says it will back legislation to ban foreign state ownership of British newspapers WFTV [Video]

LONDON — (AP) — The U.K. government said Wednesday it will back legislation banning foreign state ownership of British newspapers and magazines, a move that could upend a planned takeover by a United Arab Emirates-led consortium of the Telegraph Media Group.

The development comes after numerous lawmakers from across the political divide urged an explicit ban, rather than using a regulatory approach to ensure that publications don’t parrot views of state actors.

The minister in charge of media, Stephen Parkinson, said the government will introduce an amendment to the “Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill” currently making its way through Parliament.

The bill, which is expected to pass easily, will prevent the takeover of British publications by foreign governments. However, foreign individuals and firms will continue to be able to own papers and magazines.

“Freedom of the press is fundamental to a functioning democracy,” said Parkinson. “What freedom of the press means is freedom from government.”

The legislation stems from concern about the …