布隆伯格收購FT的利益沖突
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????周末有報道稱，彭博資訊（Bloomberg LP）正在考慮收購金融時報集團（Financial Times Group），包括其旗下的《金融時報》（FT），以及其持有的《經濟學人》雜志（The Economist）的大筆股份。實際上，報道中并沒有明確提到彭博資訊，而是一直在說其實際所有人，即現任紐約市市長邁克爾?布隆伯格。他在十月份參觀了FT的倫敦總部，并有意參與此項重要決策。 ????筆者不由得疑惑，如果布隆伯格市長參與彭博資訊的業務，必須要遵守哪些規定。他在就任紐約市長期間，為了避嫌，已經放棄了參與公司的日常運營，但依然保留了對公司的所有權。因此，他不得不向紐約市利益沖突委員會（Conflicts of Interests Board）征求意見。 ????以下是利益沖突委員會給出的相關建議： ????“我們進一步建議布隆伯格先生，凡是發生在紐約市、任何涉及、或正在接洽涉及彭博資訊，而且可能對其所有權利益造成重大影響的的業務（如大規模收購、出售或借款），布隆伯格先生在實際參與之前應該對確定相關業務的范圍以及就此向委員會咨詢獲得進一步指導的必要性保持敏感。” ????換言之，如果布隆伯格想要積極參與對《金融時報》的盡職調查，必須征求利益沖突委員會的意見。雖然筆者并不認為這家報紙與紐約市有任何重大業務關系，但FT在紐約市肯定存在一些業務。例如，FT肯定還設有街邊的報刊箱，它在紐約肯定還有廣告業務（紐約市的自主閱覽廣告等），還有這家報紙在紐約的采訪活動。 ????關鍵在于：布隆伯格是否向委員會征求意見將被嚴格保密。所以，我們無從知曉他是否會遵從委員會的意見。當然，除非交易發生后，委員會收到投訴，然后發現他違反了利益沖突規定。或者，布隆伯格自己透露了參與公司業務的請求。為此，我曾致電布隆伯格的新聞辦公室，但到目前為止，對方仍然拒絕發表評論。 ????我能理解對此事保密的理由，因為這樣可以鼓勵可能存在利益沖突的公共官員向委員會征求意見。但這也是像邁克爾?布隆伯格這些人，擔任較高選舉職務時應該撤出其在公司的股份，或者辭職的另外一個原因。想象一下如果羅姆尼仍參與貝恩資本（Bain）的決策，會引發怎樣的混亂？ ????對了，FT的東家培生出版集團（Pearson PLC）仍堅稱，它沒有出售這款橙色報紙的打算。可是，似乎沒有人相信他們的話。 ????譯者：劉進龍/汪皓 |
????There was a weekend report that Bloomberg LP is thinking about making an offer for the Financial Times Group, which includes both the FT and a sizable stake in The Economist. ????Actually, the story never explicitly refers to Bloomberg LP. Instead, it keeps talking about the company's namesake, current New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Seems he visited FT's London headquarters back in October, and would be involved in any decision of this magnitude. ????So it got me to wondering about the rules that Mayor Bloomberg must follow, when it comes to participating in Bloomberg LP business. He recused himself from day-to-day operations upon taking office, but retained his ownership stake -- thus prompting him to seek an opinion from the NYC Conflicts of Interests Board. ????Here was the relevant part: ????"Mr. Bloomberg is further advised to be sensitive to the need to ascertain the extent of any City business dealings involving entities engaged in, or negotiating to become engaged in, Bloomberg L.P. matters that may significantly affect the value of his ownership interest (e.g., major purchases, sales, or borrowings) and to consult the Board for further guidance before becoming involved in such Bloomberg L.P. matters." ????In other words, Bloomberg should consult the Conflicts of Interest Board if he's actively involved in FT due diligence. I don't imagine the newspaper has any major business with the City, but there could be some. For example, I'm pretty sure the FT still has some sidewalk boxes, there could be advertising relationships (City taking out ads, etc.) and the paper's journalistic activities (read: access) ????But here's the catch: Whether or not Bloomberg actually consults the board is confidential. So there is no way to know if he's following the opinion – unless, of course, a deal occurs, the board later receives a complaint and later finds him in violation. Or if Bloomberg himself were to divulge the request. So I called up his press office, but it so far has declined to comment. ????I understand the reason for such confidentiality, since it helps encourage potentially-conflicted public officials to seek advice. But it's yet another reason why folks like Michael Bloomberg probably should divest/resign/etc. when reaching high elective office (not just promising to do so later). Just imagine the uproar if Romney had still been involved in Bain decision-making... ????For the record, FT owner Pearson PLC continues to insist that it isn't seeking to sell the salmon-tinged newspaper. And, also for the record, almost nobody seems to believe them. |
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