FROM THE NEWS DESK

There’s been a lot of chatter about the Commerce Commission’s indication it will decline to a merger between Fairfax NZ and NZME. I’ve read a lot of comments from opponents in the media, suggesting this decision is good news for journalism in New Zealand. They believe a merger would give the new entity a monopoly. Some also love to dine out on the fact NZME and Fairfax are owned by overseas companies and customers are better off supporting a ‘‘local paper’’. Last time I looked all of the people at the papers I’m in charge of are locals, regardless of ownership. The Fairfax-NZME proposal would allow the two to de-merge and become a ‘‘local’’ New Zealand company. Isn’t this a good move? We’re no longer competing locally with those in our own patch, we’re competing globally, for news and advertising resources, something those still operating in the 1980s fail to understand.

Lawrence Gullery