It seems the company has not finished its post-spin-off transformation and still needs protection from the market forces championed by many of its publications. For another year at least. ''The rights plan allows the board of directors additional time to evaluate all available alternatives and preserves the company's ability to implement management's strategic plan in order to maximise the long-term value of the company for all stockholders,'' it says.

Given that News Corp's local stable of titles are screaming from the rooftops about their fiscal fitness, we presume the company is just getting a little spooked by a new substantial shareholder creeping up the register. If Southeastern Asset Management - which now has a 14.3 per cent stake - gets over the 15 per cent barrier, the News board can flood the market with additional shares and make it more expensive to acquire a controlling stake.

Easy prey?

Speaking of poison pills. Ten Network investors watched their shares slide back into a hole on Thursday as the company flagged sliding revenue and higher costs for the financial year about to end.

What a pity one of its billionaire shareholders, who also moonlighted as CEO and chairman for some time, Lachlan Murdoch, didn't think of a poison pill strategy for the broadcaster before he pulled stumps and headed back to News Corp.

It would have helped kill cruel market talk that Ten is easy prey for a certain multinational media group whose name escapes CBD.

The iron giant

You can't accuse Andrew ''Twiggy'' Forrest of ever meeting a Fortescue share he didn't like.

The irrepressible Fortescue founder waded into the market this week, picking up another 1.75 million shares at less than $4 a pop.

And to think the share price pipped the $6 barrier in February before a falling iron ore price made its presence felt.

Ore prices have now fallen 34 per cent this year to trade below the $US90 mark for the first time since 2012. Good thing Twiggy is showing the way, otherwise some punters might be thinking it's time to part ways with higher-cost, lower-quality ore producers such as Fortescue.

Oh, Gord

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission's win against Newcrest Mining on Wednesday over disclosure breaches obviously got everyone excited at Slater & Gordon.

The law firm sent an email update to Newcrest investors involved in its class action against the gold miner, but inadvertently disclosed the email addresses of all parties.

The email was soon recalled and it is understood privilege was maintained between all parties - which means no snitching, OK?

Not that Slater has anything to worry about. Surely it's too late for recipients to band together and fund their own class action as a way to cut out Slater's 30 per cent fee.

Keep up, Peter

CBD thought it was worth mentioning to Peter Holmes a Court - following Wednesday's item on his impending nuptials to Alissa - that he might want to update his website before the big day.

Interested parties such as CBD are informed that Holmes a Court resides in Switzerland, is writing a book on the changing nature of work since the Industrial Revolution and is ''the proud husband of Divonne Holmes a Court''. Oops.

Retail royalty

CBD never knew Gerry Harvey was a monarchist. Our favourite retailer and horsie veteran made it into carriage three of the Queen's Royal Ascot parade before the big races on Wednesday (UK time).

Accompanying him was Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page.

Got a tip?

ckruger@fairfaxmedia.com.au