The UK has some of the most stringent media ownership laws in the world. Relevant legislation says there should be at least three separately-owned local commercial media suppliers in addition to the BBC in local regions.
Speaking at Westminster Media Forum event on regional media today, Claire Enders of Enders Analysis said: "There has to be an end to barriers to consolidation of media ownership. Speed is of the essence"
Jimmy Buckland, head of regulatory policy at the RadioCentre, said the Government must relax laws on media ownership, both within radio and across all media sectors.
Enders said the effects of the current economic climate would be "catastrophic" and half the jobs in media would be lost over the next five years which will have a "huge impact".
She said she expected a third of all publications to close with "at least two national newspaper titles to go".
Enders said media owners needed to generate more money from digital formats, adding that efforts are being hampered by Google's re-use of their content.
She added: "Google's the biggest player online. Its UK turnover is £1.2bn, yet Google does not pay any copyright to the media owners whose websites it uses on its news channel. Google should pay copyright."
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