A verdict of “not in the public interest” has been stamped on 21st Century Fox’s proposed takeover of Sky in the UK, by the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority). The investigation should never have made it onto CMA desks in the first place and, as expected, the regulatory body has missed the mark. Why is the CMA so intent on distancing itself from its wiser sister in broadcasting and telecommunications regulations, Ofcom? Fox’s current 39% stake in Sky already yields significant influence by the Murdoch empire over the flavor of news reports reaching consumer screens and newspapers. Increasing this to 100% would not dramatically change the face of Sky, something the CMA disagrees with on the grounds of media plurality…