Regulators say UAE-backed bid for the Telegraph would have threatened press freedom

After a lengthy review, Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority issued reports stating that the planned acquisition of the Telegraph and one outlet by Redbird IMI could have jeopardised free expression and the accurate presentation of news in the UK. Redbird IMI is controlled by International Media Investments, an Abu Dhabi fund owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who also owns Manchester City Football Club.

The reports were released after a two-and-a-half-year wait and came amid heightened diplomatic tension between the UK and the UAE following sanctions on the football club’s owners. The UK government had previously barred foreign-state entities from owning British newspapers, prompting Redbird IMI to withdraw its offer in 2024. Subsequently, German media group Axel Springer purchased the Telegraph for £575 million. The regulator’s conclusions highlight concerns that such foreign-linked ownership could operate against the public interest regarding free opinion and accurate news.