Sky News cuts short interview after Rupert Murdoch criticised live on air
'There is Rupert Murdoch trying to take over the whole of Sky, here she is giving Sky this terrifically important interview'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An interview on Sky News has been cut short after a commentator challenged the broadcaster's connections to Rupert Murdoch live on air.
The awkward exchange occurred following an interview conducted by host Sophy Ridge with Prime Minister Theresa May.
Polly Toynbee, an author and Guardian columnist, appeared as part of a panel discussing Ms May's interview with Ms Ridge, shortly after it was aired. She said it was telling that Ms May, who is known for her reticence to grant major media appearances, had given the interview to Sky rather than the BBC.
Ms Toynbee said: "The very fact that she has appeared on Sky rather at the last moment, not on BBC. Now as far as I know she has no particular row with the BBC, no trouble has happened. This unspoken fact may be the most important – there is Rupert Murdoch trying to take over the whole of Sky, here she is giving Sky this terrifically important interview, although she didn’t actually say anything; this seems to be possibly more significant than anything that she’s said.”
At which point, the Sky presented interjected: “That is another debate that will go on for some time” before moving the discussion on to talk about other issues.
Ms Toynbee's comments follow news announced last month that Mr Murdoch had launched a £11.2bn bid to take full control of the broadcaster. The media mogul sought to add the corporation to his communications empire which includes The Sun and The Times newspapers.
Mr Murdoch holds 39 per cent of Sky and has previously attempted to take full control; however, his ambitions were thwarted in 2011 after it emerged that journalists connected to some of his media outlets had been engaged in phone hacking, resulting in public and political backlash.
Regulatory approval would be required for the deal to go ahead.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments