A possible takeover of the Basler Zeitung would have to be brought before the Weko
According to a report in the NZZ am Sonntag, any potential acquisition of the Basler Zeitung (BaZ) by the Tamedia Group must be reviewed by the Competition Commission.
The Weko confirmed this to the newspaper. The main reason for this, it said, is that Tamedia already has a dominant position in French-speaking Switzerland and acquisitions in neighboring, upstream or downstream markets must therefore be reported to the Weko. However, the authority left open whether it had already been informed of such a transaction.
Whether and when the rumors about a takeover of the BaZ officially confirmed by Tamedia is still open. This was already expected last week. (Werbewoche.ch reported) - However, a corresponding announcement has not yet been made. Various sides assume that the BaZ to Tamedia and in return the current owners of the newspaper will publish the free newspaper Tagblatt of the City of Zurich and receive a sum of money. BaZ editor-in-chief and co-owner Markus Somm is said to have informed his staff last Monday about a pending change of ownership. Critics fear that the possible takeover will further increase Tamedia's media concentration and journalistic power. The media company would then - in addition to a market-leading position in French-speaking Switzerland - also own the most important newspapers in German-speaking Switzerland in the three major conurbations of Zurich, Bern and Basel. (hae)
