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. Four years later, we have produced an updated version that suggests that, not only does concentrated ownership persist but that the problem may be getting worse. This report shows that just three … [Read more...]
A modest proposal: Why your MP’s voting record can be a platform for strong media democracy
The recently published Cairncross Report on the future of the UK press spoke of a “reduction in public-interest reporting [that] seems to reduce community engagement with local democracy (such as voter turnout) and the accountability of local institutions.” It called for the creation of an Institute for Public Interest News, one of whose tasks might be to … [Read more...]
A Sustainable Future for Journalism? An initial evaluation of the Cairncross Review
By Angela Phillips The Cairncross Review, which is published today, finds that: “Support for public-interest news providers is particularly urgent and justified. In the immediate future, government should look to plug the local gap to ensure the continued supply of local democracy reporting.” It goes on: “Given the evidence of a market failure in the supply of … [Read more...]
A Report on the Special Meeting on the Cairncross Review
By Isaac Costley On the 4 October the Media Reform Coalition (MRC) held a public meeting to discuss the Cairncross Review established by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to examine the sustainability of high-quality journalism in the UK. The Cairncross Review was established in March 2018 and is due to run for 9-12 months. It is currently examining the … [Read more...]
Selling Scotland’s local television to That’s TV is a travesty
Given the Cairncross Review's ongoing consultation into the future of 'high quality news' in the UK, we thought it would be useful to re-post this sobering account of recent developments in the local news environment in Scotland. It was originally posted in Bella Caledonia and is published here with kind permission of the author. by Dale McEwan Job adverts have been … [Read more...]
MRC submission to Cairncross Review
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport established the Cairncross Review to examinine the sustainability of high-quality journalism in the UK. The Review is particularly concerned with the Press and says that it will give equal weight to the needs of consumers and industry. But many fear its real intention is to justify subsidising corporate news organisations … [Read more...]
Fox/Sky takeover: archive of civil society submissions
MRC is happy to host an archive of some of the submissions and reports that have been prepared in relation to the proposed takeover of Sky by 21st Century Fox. Avaaz, Submission to the CMA consultation on its provisional findings regarding proposed acquisition of Sky by 21CF, February 2018 Media Reform Coalition, Response to notice of possible remedies, February … [Read more...]