The 2020 Media Democracy Festival was cancelled because of the pandemic. We are now hosting a series of short lunchtime sessions on key themes concerning media democracy and social justice in the light of Covid-19 and beyond. All sessions will be streamed on our YouTube channel. Our next event is on Media, … Continue Reading
Media Democracy Festival 2020 – now cancelled
Statement We regret to announce that we will be postponing Saturday’s Media Democracy Festival. In the interests of the welfare of … Continue Reading
New Report: Who Owns the UK Media?
We produced our first comprehensive report on media ownership in the UK back in 2015 when we argued concentrated ownership was a significant … Continue Reading
Zombie economics, post Covid-19 and the media video
You can watch a full recording of our first Media Democracy Festival lunchtime debate involving Grace Blakeley, Noni Makuyana and Mike Berry on … Continue Reading
Media in Lockdown debate
Media Reform Coalition partnered with Liverpool's Writing on the Wall Festival to host a debate on Tuesday 19 May to discuss the role of the … Continue Reading
MRC submission to inquiry on the future of journalism
The House of Lords Select Committee on Communications recently called for submissions to its inquiry on the future of journalism. In the context of the Covid-19 crisis - in which we have seen a huge decline in … Continue Reading
The fake choice around decriminalising the licence fee
by Des Freedman and Tom Mills A licence fee worth defending? Decriminalising the licence fee may not seem like the highest priority for a government that’s facing economic meltdown and social crisis. … Continue Reading
Burning Questions in the Lap of Power
by Gary Merrill Every afternoon, Downing Street hosts a briefing for journalists to update them - and their audiences - on latest developments concerning the Covid-19 crisis. In this special post for MRC, Gary … Continue Reading
Why are conservative papers leaning left on corona?
by Elizabeth Mizon, @elizmizon MRC supporters may have noticed some robust headlines around Covid-19 in news titles more commonly associated with supporting the government. Elizabeth Mizon reflects on the … Continue Reading
Community media and Covid-19
Rob Watson, an experienced community radio practitioner and advocate, reports on how community media can play a key role during the Coronavirus pandemic by providing "a different space for discussion, deliberation … Continue Reading
Coronavirus has strengthened the case for the BBC
Our second article on the impact of Coronavirus on media policy debate features a contribution from Professor Jonathan Hardy who argues that the need for the "collective provision of information and creative … Continue Reading
What will the coronavirus pandemic mean for the business of news?
At a time when we need trusted information and analysis more than ever, Covid-19 threatens the very fabric of our news environment. With an announcement today by JPIMedia that it is suspending 12 of its local print … Continue Reading
Media Democracy Festival – CANCELLED
Statement We regret to announce that we will be postponing Saturday’s Media Democracy Festival. In the interests of the welfare of all attendees and the wider public, we have decided to follow a policy of social … Continue Reading