The 2020s are set to be a decade of huge challenges, and much of the UK's media is unable to support the transformations we need. We urgently need media which is owned by us, accountable to us, where we all get to play a part in creating it: we need to build a media commons. What this could mean is explored in our Manifesto for a People Media, published today as part of the … [Read more...]
Technology, Public Sphere & Journalism – final chapter of UK Media Influence Matrix project
Global tech giants and British media players are fighting tooth and nail to access market resources. The result of this struggle will make or break journalism in the UK. This is the conclusion of 'Technology, public sphere and journalism' - the final chapter of the UK Media Influence Matrix report written by Leo Watkins. Technology companies have witnessed in the last … [Read more...]
Funding Journalism – new report by MRC for the Media Influence Matrix
We have just published, in association with the Centre for Media, Data and Society at Central European University, the second part of our major research into the UK media landscape, the UK Media Influence Matrix. This report, written by Leo Watkins, focuses on the funding of journalism and provides a comprehensive account of consumption trends, financial performance, key … [Read more...]
Fighting the Privatisation of Channel 4
by Tom Mills The Tories have Channel 4 in their crosshairs. The culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, recently confirmed that the government intends to ‘review the ownership model and remit’ of the publicly owned but commercially funded broadcaster. It is feared this will mean a rushed consultation and a rash privatisation.How should defenders of public media respond to this … [Read more...]
Media and the manipulation of language
by Calum Rosie Criticising the current state of the English language can be risky; one can easily (and in many cases, justifiably) be accused of snobbishness and elitism, countered with the argument that language evolves and that we should all be willing to adapt to it. And while this is true to a point, it’s incredibly important to remember that language is a tool developed … [Read more...]
Report: Who Owns the UK Media?
NEW REPORT ON UK MEDIA OWNERSHIP JUST PUBLISHED We produced our first comprehensive report on media ownership in the UK back in 2015 when we argued concentrated ownership was a significant problem for any modern democracy. In 2019, we produced an updated version that suggests that, not only does concentrated ownership persist but that the problem may be getting worse. Sadly, … [Read more...]
Media Democracy Festival 2021
We're thrilled to announce the schedule for our forthcoming Media Democracy Festival, a week-long celebration of independent media voices and analysis of why our current media system is not fit for purpose. We kick off with a keynote and Q&A from former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn on 'A Free Media for a Free Society' - 6pm, Sunday 14 March Do Black Lives Matter … [Read more...]