The Euro Debate 
Rupert Murdoch will fight euro entry for the UK
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Mr Murdoch will instruct his UK newspapers to spread the message "vote no" in the run-up to the referendum. In an interview with the Financial Times in June 2002, Mr Murdoch said: "Europe is made up of so many diverse cultures and histories that to slam it all together with a government of French bureaucrats answerable to nobody - I cannot see anything but benefit by waiting." Mr Murdoch's decision to use his newspaper empire to oppose British euro entry comes as a blow to Tony Blair's government, which hopes to sign up to the single currency. Mr Murdoch has traditionally supported the government in power or the party that he thought would win any upcoming election. The UK Treasury recently leaked a story that it was considering a special tax for satellite TV broadcasters that would have affected BSkyB, a key element in his media empire. This was thought to be a warning shot to Mr Murdoch not to upset the government. However, this threat appears to have been ignored. Mr Murdoch's newspapers include The Sun, The News of the World, The Times and The Sunday Times. Although he controls Sky News in the UK, legislation will prevent any biased news presentation from this TV station during the debate leading up to a referendum. Opinion polls consistently show a majority against adopting the single currency and the government is already facing an uphill battle in its bid to persuade British voters of the benefits of euro membership. The UK, Sweden and Denmark are the only three European Union members not to have adopted the single currency. |
Rupert Murdoch has said he will use his UK newspaper empire to campaign against British euro membership if the government calls a referendum on the single currency.