Ofcom urged to block Bauer

MEDIA WATCHDOG Ofcom has been urged to stop a publishing group acquiring broadcast rights for a UK radio station due to its distribution of magazines which glorify the Nazis.

Lib Dem peer Lord Palmer wrote to Ofcom asking it to assess whether Bauer Media Group was “fit and proper” to run stations under the Absolute Radio umbrella.

Bruce Fireman, a media banker and lawyer, also wrote, saying the takeover should be blocked and Bauer UK’s broadcasting licences revoked.

P r e s s u r e h a s increased on Bauer a f t e r Hol o c a u s t groups reported their concerns over the company’s continued defence of Der Landser.

The German magazine, published by a company owned by Bauer, honours the SS and promotes Nazi figures as “heroes”.

BMG is one of the largest media companies in Britain. Its stable ranges from Heat magazine to Kiss FM radio. It recently completed a £22 million deal for Absolute Radio, subject to

‘Such a company should not be trusted with a licence’

regulatory approval.

Lord Palmer asked Ofcom to “review any of Bauer UK’s broadcasting licenses and consider whether it is fit and proper to transfer the licences held by Absolute Radio”.

Mr Fireman accepted that it was legal to publish Der Landser in Germany, but said: “That does not mean that a decently conducted company would publish such a magazine which glorifies criminals but avoids prosecution by not mentioning the word ‘Nazi’ and not promoting antisemitism.

“Such a company should not to be trusted with a licence, which requires integrity and compliance with law and regulation.”

An Ofcom spokesman said: “Ofcom has a duty to be satisfied on an ongoing basis that the holder of a broadcasting licence is ‘fit and proper’.

“We would assess any relevant evidence that would help us discharge this duty.”

A BMG spokesman said: “Bauer Media voluntarily submits the issues of the magazine to examination from a press law perspective.

“The company attaches great importance to ensuring that the magazine neither trivialises nor glorifies Nazi crimes.”

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