ACCC concludes investigation into Newcastle and Hunter Valley community newspapers

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has concluded its investigation into compliance by Fairfax Media Limited with its undertaking to the ACCC.

The ACCC's investigation was undertaken in response to changes made by Fairfax to the format and content of The Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Post and The Hunter Post newspapers, prior to the sale of these newspapers as required by the undertaking.

The ACCC was concerned that the changes made by Fairfax potentially affected the viability of the Post, and its ability to compete with The Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Star and The Lower Hunter Star, community newspapers retained by Fairfax with a similar circulation area to that of the Post.

In January 2008 Fairfax agreed to implement remedial arrangements immediately, designed to ensure the ongoing viability of the Post. The ACCC has since been monitoring Fairfax's compliance with these arrangements.

The arrangements provided for, among other things, assignment of the That's Entertainment brand to the Post, and licensing the use of the Domain brand in the Post for a 12-month period.  Fairfax also agreed to restrictions on the publication of real estate and entertainment advertising in the Star for a specified period.
 
The ACCC is satisfied that the remedial measures taken by Fairfax have addressed the ACCC's concerns.

ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, noted Fairfax's cooperation in addressing the ACCC's concerns.

"This is an example of a party to an undertaking cooperating with the ACCC to ensure that the undertaking achieves the intended competitive outcomes."