The Commerce Commission has rejected the idea of Fairfax and NZME merging into one very large media organisation.

The decision has been welcomed by the E tū union.

E tū’s Senior Industrial Officer, Paul Tolich says the decision recognises there are more than commercial interests at stake.

He says the role of journalism is to hold to account the business interests and forces in our society, and believes the merger would have undermined that.

Tolich says is the only way we will make news media and journalism a viable business and occupation in New Zealand.