Newcastle newspaper crossover resolved

Recently reported in Print 21, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has now declared that it will not oppose Fairfax's proposed merger with Rural Press after accepting an undertaking to divest two free community newspapers in the Hunter Valley region.

Considering the proposal, the ACCC found that the proposed acquisition was unlikely to lessen competition under section 50 of the Trade Practices Act 1974.

"Competition concerns arose in Newcastle and the Lower Hunter Valley, where Fairfax and Rural Press publish the main free local newspapers," said Graeme Samuel, ACCC chairman. "However, Fairfax has offered to divest its two free newspapers in the region, The Newcastle & Lake Macquarie Post and The Hunter Post, as part of the proposed acquisition.

"Following market consultations on the undertaking, it appears that the divestiture will ensure continuing competition in the relevant markets. Overall, the ACCC was satisfied that the undertaking would address the ACCC's competition concerns."

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