Ofcom says UAE‑backed bid for Telegraph would have jeopardised press freedom

Regulators warned that the abandoned RedBird IMI purchase of the Telegraph Media Group posed risks to independent journalism.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:22:13 GMT

Britain’s media regulator Ofcom and competition watchdog the CMA released reports on Friday warning that a proposed takeover of the Telegraph Media Group by RedBird IMI would have risked undermining free expression in the press.

What happened

The reports, published after a two‑and‑a‑half‑year review, focused on the potential ownership of the Telegraph by RedBird IMI, a consortium majority‑owned by Abu Dhabi’s International Media Investments (IMI). IMI is controlled by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE vice‑president and owner of Manchester City Football Club. The consortium ultimately withdrew its bid in 2024, ending the takeover attempt after the government banned foreign‑state ownership of British newspapers.

What the reports add

Both Ofcom and the CMA highlighted concerns that the close ties between RedBird IMI and the United Arab Emirates could have compromised editorial independence. The regulators noted that the ownership structure would have given a foreign‑state‑linked investor significant influence over a major UK newspaper. In the now‑published reports Ofcom concluded the deal may “operate against the public interest” in relation to “free expression of opinion in newspapers” and questioned whether it would meet the “need for accurate presentation of news in newspapers”. The reports were delayed for two and a half years and were originally written for then‑Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer.

“The takeover would have risked undermining ‘free expression’ in the press.” – Ofcom report, quoted by the Independent and the Standard

German media group Axel Springer later bought the Telegraph for £575 million after the failed bid.

What was said

The Independent quoted Ofcom’s findings, saying the regulator warned the deal “would have risked undermining ‘free expression’ in the press.” The Standard reported the same wording from the regulator’s report.

“Operate against the public interest” – Ofcom, as cited by the Independent

“Need for accurate presentation of news in newspapers” – Ofcom, as cited by the Standard

How it came about

The proposed acquisition was announced amid a tense diplomatic backdrop between the UK and the UAE, following the Premier League’s ruling that Manchester City’s owners had breached spending rules. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has faced scrutiny over his past ties to the club’s owners while serving as mayor of Greater Manchester, where Abu Dhabi funds have supported regeneration projects. Earlier Felo coverage linked the UAE’s broader international activities, such as the trade‑deal push reported on Oct 14, providing context for the heightened sensitivity around UAE‑linked investments in the UK.

Key facts

Ofcom and the CMA warned that the RedBird IMI takeover of the Telegraph would have risked free expression. (independent.co.uk)
RedBird IMI is majority‑owned by Abu Dhabi’s International Media Investments, controlled by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (independent.co.uk)
The consortium withdrew its bid, ending the proposed acquisition. (independent.co.uk)