This policy briefing on the economic dynamics of the UK's commercial news industry is the final briefing to arise from our Media Influence Matrix report. It draws on the findings of the report alongside other cutting edge research to outline why a large number of newsrooms are struggling to deliver public interest journalism and maintain sustainable, secure jobs. Our … [Read more...]
Newsquest’s acquisition of Archant – bad news for local journalism
Most local newspapers in the UK are owned by a small handful of companies – and this concentration has just got worse. On March 18, Newsquest announced it was buying out Archant, and will be taking over its 74 local news titles. In light of these developments, MRC have updated the ownership figures from our 2021 report 'Who owns the UK media?' Headline findings are: … [Read more...]
Petition for a People’s BBC
The Media Reform Coalition has launched a petition for a People's BBC - sign here! The BBC is under attack. A decade of funding cuts, increasing government interference and commercial pressures are making it less and less able fulfil its public mission. We urgently need a BBC that can hold the powerful to account, and that can help a divided nation understand each … [Read more...]
MRC Weekly Digest – 9th April 2021
Hi everyone, Eliz Mizon here for the Media Reform Coalition. I'll be writing a weekly blog for MRC. For even more content on media, work, and politics, you can follow me at Chompsky: Power and Pop Culture. For now, here's your Media Reform News Digest! The US Supreme Court Allows FCC to Change 3 Media Ownership Rules The Supreme Court has upheld a decision by the Federal … [Read more...]
Media Influence Matrix UK report: Government, Politics and Regulation
JUST OUT! The Media Reform Coalition is working with researchers from the Center for Media, Data and Society (CMDS) at Central European University to investigate the influence of shifts in policy, funding, and technology on contemporary journalism. This is part of the international Media Influence Matrix project, coordinated by CMDS, which has so far produced 19 reports … [Read more...]
MRC submission to Ofcom’s ‘Small Screen: Big Debate’ consultation
Ofcom has been consulting on the findings from Small Screen: Big Debate, a review whch examines how to strengthen and maintain public service broadcasting (PSB) for the next decade and beyond, in the face of unprecedented changes to technology, financing and viewer behaviour. MRC submissions … [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...]