Disclosures of Interest

Archant Ltd / Independent News and Media PLC

Peter Freeman, a deputy chairman of the Commission will be the chairman of the inquiry group conducting this investigation. Mr Freeman is a solicitor and was until September 2003 a partner in the firm of Simmons & Simmons.

Simmons & Simmons acts for The Telegraph, a national newspaper with no local newspaper interests. Mr Freeman has in the past advised The Telegraph Group Limited, publishers of the Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, on competition issues. Mr Freeman had not advised it in the last five years he worked for Simmons & Simmons.

Mr Freeman was head of the team at Simmons & Simmons advising the Independent Television Commission (ITC) on competition and regulatory matters. The ITC, whose functions have now been taken over by Ofcom, had no direct regulatory function in relation to newspapers although newspaper ownership could be relevant to the exercise of some of its powers in relation to the regulation of commercial television broadcasting (for example in assessing cross media holdings). The ITC also regulated aspects of television advertising.

Mr Freeman believes that neither Simmons & Simmons’ relationship with The Telegraph Group Limited, nor his past relationship with The Independent Television Commission will affect his ability to act independently and impartially in discharging the CC’s functions in this investigation. The CC believes that Mr Freeman will act independently and impartially.