Media
BECTU has backed the government's decision to tell Sky it must sell most of its stake in ITV.
Business secretary John Hutton agreed to a Competition Commission's ruling that the holding must be cut from 17.9% to less than 7.5%.
Gerry Morrissey, general secretary of the broadcasting union, said the move, which may still be appealed, was in the public interest and would help the industry.
He criticised Sky's "anti-competitive stance, designed to scupper a then possible merger between ITV and Virgin Media" for curtailing ITV's development.
He added: "ITV must be able to continue its investment in programmes in order to compete effectively with the BBC and other UK broadcasters.
"Today's decision restores to ITV a freer hand to do just that. The decision is also one which is made in the public interest."
Business secretary John Hutton agreed to a Competition Commission's ruling that the holding must be cut from 17.9% to less than 7.5%.
Gerry Morrissey, general secretary of the broadcasting union, said the move, which may still be appealed, was in the public interest and would help the industry.
He criticised Sky's "anti-competitive stance, designed to scupper a then possible merger between ITV and Virgin Media" for curtailing ITV's development.
He added: "ITV must be able to continue its investment in programmes in order to compete effectively with the BBC and other UK broadcasters.
"Today's decision restores to ITV a freer hand to do just that. The decision is also one which is made in the public interest."
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