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's Media, published as part of the MRC's … [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...]
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. … [Read more...]
Media, Race and Religion: Silences and Scapegoats
Watch the video of a crucial discussion with Maya Goodfellow, Omega Douglas, Rizwana Hamid and Narzanin Massoumi … [Read more...]
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 and creative expression that is a valuable alternative to the mainstream way of presenting information and engaging with audiences." by Dr Rob Watson According … [Read more...]
Towards a non-profit social media: the digital public library project
A guest post from Breezy Brian Gregg of Canada's Digital Public Library Project There is a need for a nonprofit universal free digital streaming service funded by general taxes, which does not surveil people using the service nor expose them to advertising. This project is about promoting the idea of creating such a service. Your on-line service will be a … [Read more...]
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 all attendees and the wider public, we have decided to follow a policy of social distancing in response to the coronavirus. We always seek to make our events inclusive and accessible to everyone and it is now clear that this would not … [Read more...]