StuffME decision highlights out-of-touch bureaucracy
The rejection of the NZME/Fairfax merger is a denial of modern media realities, says ACT Leader David Seymour.
“The Commerce Commission is a heavy-handed and out-of-touch regulator. Today it blocked two major media companies from
adapting for the 21st century. Now we’re set to witness the slow, painful withering of our major newspapers.
“Allowing the merger would not have created a monopoly. Fairfax and NZME already compete with Radio New Zealand, 1 News,
Newshub, the NBR, the Spinoff, Facebook, Twitter, and more.
“In the internet age, people consume media from countless sources and don’t need nannying from grey-haired Commerce
Commission bureaucrats.
“This backward-looking decision is typical of the bureaucrats and politicians who struggle to comprehend new
technologies like Uber, AirBnB, drones, peer-to-peer lending, and e-cigarettes.”
ENDS