Britain to ban foreign governments from media ownership

London | Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will legislate to prevent a foreign government from buying a British news company, as he seeks to protect the Daily Telegraph newspaper and Spectator magazine from an Abu Dhabi-backed takeover.

Mr Sunak’s move potentially opens the door for Rupert Murdoch to make a play for one or both titles, following reports this week that his News Corp was looking at joining forces with Daily Mail owner Lord Rothermere to launch a rival bid.