Body Wax Paraphernalia

Barbarian Invasion: Mediaset

Maybe I found something that unite Europe and that will speak with one voice. Want to know what is it? Read on, and you know In my opinion .

Then, I state that I have read that tell about a English newspaper La Repubblica, which cites as its source: the online version of the Daily I have not found anything about it, but you can I is wrong or that it appeared only on paper, but I apologize in advance for those who had the requisite knowledge. I hope that at least you can find my comment interesting.

Well the facts: according to English financial daily El Economista (a sort of Iberian Sole24ore), citing just one article in La Repubblica, Mediaset president Fedele Confalonieri (photo) would not have rejected the hypothesis of a possible acquisition of part of the English media group Prisa . In particular, Mediaset would be interested to get your hands on Cuatro, an important television channel, and Digital + , a pay channel on the digital platform in operation for some time throughout Spain, and would be putting pressure on the telecommunications giant Telefonica to help in climbing.

What's wrong? short, it's just a normal market transaction, no? Mediaset is free to move as it sees in order to maximize the dividends of their shareholders, is not it? All true, very true, but there is, however, who happens to be connected to the group owner, Silvio Berlusconi , and its constant and ubiquitous conflict of interest.

Prisa Group, in addition to always be linked to the English Socialist Party (PSOE) since the days of Felipe Gonzales, the group is editor of El Pais . Yes, yes, you read correctly, El Pais . Just the newspaper quoted Berlusconi as one of those ' axis of evil blurt out that lies to no end to discredit him. Just the newspaper which first reported the photos of the festivities at Villa Certosa . Just the daily, along with others from around the world, is being sued by Berlusconi through the bankruptcy lawyer Ghedini, pose questions to him (sic. ..) . Just the daily - along with The Republic, The Guardian, The Times, The Independent, El Clarin, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, etc etc - does not hide his (justified) antipathy towards the Italian prime minister and his methods ducetto with the press. In short, Silvio is going to kill another enemy.

Well, I could raise two objections :

1. Mediaset is Berlusconi! It 's a joint stock company that operates independently from political power and for-profit;
2. Mediaset acquire the Cuatro and Digital +, but not El Pais!

Then, the first objection does not answer because is crap . We know very well what Berlusconi's Mediaset and Berlusconi's Mediaset (remember what he said about the Mentana "election committee" ?). You can not separate the political Berlusconi Berlusconi by the entrepreneur! am the same person!

Regarding the latter, it is true that Mediaset would come only in the Iberian market television and English-American, but here are two other problems:

• Competition : Mediaset controls already in Spain Telecinco and satellite network The you, with all appurtenances (advertising agencies, etc. etc). With the acquisition of La Cuatro would hand over a big chunk (at least 2 / 5) of the Iberian television market, creating problems in terms of advertising .
• Conflict of Interest in El Pais : obvious, gentlemen. If Mediaset stake in Grupo Prisa in or in "off a rib" will, directly or indirectly, say in editorial decisions of the group of ALL group (TV, radio , newspapers, internet and new media). Then we assume to be the editor of El Pais: dare we criticize the foreign chief and his friends at home (and bandwidth Aznar of the Popular Party)? Mediaset could possibly impose a director and an editorial "friendly". Or - if Mediaset would not enter the capital but includes part of Grupo Prisa - we would venture to shoot zero on an ally as powerful of our publishers as well as future potential new owner? Do not change the balance in the editorial of the newspaper? And, consequently, not change the information system in Spain? remember that El Pais is the most influential newspaper in Spain and sold , and also controls the Cuatro CNN + , the leading news channel in the country with TVE24. And come on, we all know the end that made the newspapers editorial pass under the clutches of Al Tappone (copyright, Marco Travaglio): look what happened, for example, in The Journal of Montanelli, or TG1.

The problem is not just financial , but also - if not more - political and throughout the EU: Berlusconi's Mediaset could use for his (many) interests in Spain, and maybe think to similar operations elsewhere in Europe.

But Berlusconi is an Italian politician, not English! Objection rejected : Italy and Spain are not they both States and therefore subject to rules , especially in the field of competition and free market common? The conflict of interest goes international, baby ....

short, the bottom line is always the same: a publisher for another very important as Silvio Berlusconi, the politician can not do. back to square one.

So, you finally understood what that will unite Europe and will speak with one voice? Well, of course: the conflict of interests of Silvio Berlusconi.