Media Owners (Residency Requirement) Bill

A Bill to prohibit from national media ownership persons not resident in the United Kingdom for tax purposes; and for connect purposes.

What this bill does

This Bill would prohibit the ownership of national media (newspapers, radio or television stations) by persons not resident in the United Kingdom for tax purposes.

Originating House

House of Commons

Last Updated

3 November 2009

In Plain English

AI-generated

This bill would bar individuals who are not resident in the UK for tax purposes from owning national UK media outlets such as newspapers, radio or television stations. It uses UK tax residency as the gatekeeper for ownership. The aim is to ensure national media is owned by UK-resident individuals.

Key Points

Prohibits ownership of national UK media outlets by persons who are not tax-residents in the UK.
Applies to national newspapers, radio and television outlets.
Ownership is determined by the individual’s tax residence status.
Details on enforcement, exemptions, or transition arrangements are not defined in the current text.
The bill is at the 2nd reading in the House of Commons and originated in the Commons.

Progress

The bill is currently at its 2nd reading in the House of Commons; if it progresses, it would move to committee stage and subsequent readings.

Who is affected?

Non-UK tax-resident individuals who currently own or may seek to own national UK media outletsInvestors and business owners seeking to own national UK media assets but who are not UK tax residentsNational media organisations and their staff who may be affected by changes in ownershipUK media consumers and the public who may experience changes in ownership and governance

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

News - Media Owners (Residency Requirement)

1 Jan 1970

This Bill was presented to Parliament on 16 July. This is known as First Reading and there was no debate on the Bill at this stage.

This Bill was on the Order Paper for a Second Reading on several Fridays before being dropped by its sponsor, David Drew.

Documents (1)

Bill as Introduced

BillCommons

15 Oct 2009

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.

Media Owners (Residency Requirement) Bill | TrackPolitics