Bauer Media, the publisher of magazines in Germany accused of glorifying Adolf Hitler's regime (see here and here), clearly understands the value of a high-minded corporate culture for media owners.
It said so in a submission to Ofcom last August in which it was contesting the acquisition of GMG Radio by Global on the grounds of plurality.
Bauer quoted with obvious approval remarks made about the issue by Steve Barnett in his evidence to the Leveson inquiry:
"Plurality goes beyond the narrowly political and must embrace the wider cultural environment. A corporate culture can determine cultural output across the board… thus helping to shape ideas that circulate within the public sphere"
It further quoted him as arguing that the corporate culture of a media company, "will have an impact on the knowledge and ideas that circulate in civil society."
The company's submission concluded: "Bauer agrees with these views."
So, if Bauer believes that, as it says it does, what does the company have to say about the corporate culture of a company that publishes titles that honour war criminals and anti-Semites?
NB: According to the evidence as posted on Leveson inquiry website, Barnett's quotation differs from that quoted by Bauer. It reads:
"Plurality as a concept extends beyond the narrowly political to the wider cultural environment. It is rooted in an understanding that corporate decisions made by large media conglomerates will have a material impact on the knowledge, ideas, information and opinions circulating within civil society."
Sources:Bauer submission to Ofcom, 24 August 2012, pages 9 & 10/Leveson inquiry/The Guardian
