L86 Response Accepted AI-assessed

Include Online in Plurality

Recommendation

Online publication should be included in any market assessment for consideration of plurality.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to Independent evidence (2025-02-27), online publication is included in Ofcom's media plurality assessments, and the Online Safety Act 2023, alongside Ofcom's expanded remit, further integrates online content into regulatory frameworks. According to Official government response (2012-11-29), the government accepted recommendations on media plurality in 2012, noting Ofcom's development of a measurement framework in 2015.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
UK-wide
Response
Accepted
Accepted UK Government
29 Nov 2012

The government accepted recommendations on media plurality. Ofcom developed a measurement framework for media plurality in 2015, publishes regular Media Nations reports, and has a full menu of remedies available for plurality concerns. The Enterprise Act 2002 and Communications Act 2003 provide the legislative basis for intervention on media mergers. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/david-cameron-statement-in-response-to-the-leveson-inquiry-report

Read Full Response
Note: PM David Cameron responded to all 92 recommendations with a single statement accepting them "in principle" or "in part". No per-recommendation response was published.
Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Confirmed Completed
27 Feb 2025
Ofcom / Government Other

Online publication is included in Ofcom's media plurality assessments. The Online Safety Act 2023 and Ofcom's expanded remit further integrate online content into regulatory frameworks.

View detailed findings

Online publication included in plurality assessments, as recommended.

Ofcom media plurality framework View Source
Source
Inquiry Leveson Inquiry
Report An Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press 29 Nov 2012
View Source
Responsible Bodies
UK Government Primary
Themes & Tags
Weak Government Accountability & Scrutiny Plurality Media Ownership Online Digital
Recommendation age 13.3 yrs
Last formal update 4863 days ago