Media Reform UK

06/02/2026

The BBC Charter review is a once-in-a-generation debate about the future of UK media and our national public broadcaster. Yet the Government's proposals threaten the BBC's mission as a universal, independent and accountable organisation that is owned and funded by all of us.

Thanks to Clive Lewis and other MPs & peers for hosting the MRC, Voice of the Listener and Viewer, Equity, Involve and the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity for a roundtable discussion on the future of the BBC.

You can find out more about the MRC's research, analysis and campaign activities around Charter review on our website: https://www.mediareform.org.uk/key-issues/bbc-charter-review-2027

In Parliament I organised and hosted a roundtable with the Media Reform Coalition so MPs could understand the opportunities for progressive reform of the BBC, in the context of the upcoming BBC Charter Review.

The changing nature of global politics and technology means renewed public service broadcasting can play a vital role to play in strengthening democracy.

I have and will continue to call on the government to give Parliament and the British public an active, direct and democratic role in deciding the BBC’s future.

29/01/2026

Thanks to Clive Lewis MP for tabling this vital motion in parliament, calling for the BBC Charter review to be run as an open, democratic process with the public given a major role in deciding the BBC's future.

I have put forward a parliamentary motion calling on the Government to give Parliament and the British public an active, direct and democratic role in deciding the BBC’s future. The changing nature of global politics and technology means renewed public service broadcasting can play a vital role to play in strengthening democracy.

Ask your MP to back Early Day Motion 2701.

27/02/2024

The Media Democracy Festival is just over two weeks away, and we're delighted to announce the full programme of speakers, panels and workshops for the day.

Register for free on Eventbrite and join us at the University of Sheffield on Saturday 16th March: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/media-democracy-festival-2024-tickets-803167133517

Featuring keynotes from Matt Kennard (Declassified UK) and Paul Fleming (Equity), alongside debates on the rise of GB News, the media's war on Gaza and media reform priorities for the General Election.

21/02/2024

Are you worried about untrustworthy news, billionaire media moguls and cuts to the BBC? Want to build a fairer, more democratic media?

As the brilliant Julie Hesmondhalgh says, join us on 16th March in Sheffield for the Media Democracy Festival. Register for free at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/media-democracy-festival-2024-tickets-803167133517

With keynote speeches from Matt Kennard of Declassified UK and Paul Fleming of Equity, alongside debates on the rise of GB News, the media's war on Gaza and priorities for media reform ahead of the General Election.

Our media is broken, be part of the movement to fix it.

07/07/2023

Is AI going to wreck journalism? Eliz Mizon says, well, sort of.

An investigation has revealed that several stories published by a new local news site were made up. So were the journalists who ‘wrote’ them.

18/05/2023

Did you miss out on the Media Democracy Festival in March? Never fear! Check out our youtube for an inspiring roundup of the day's discussion, plus five full recordings of sessions on topics from Big Tech to the BBC. Thanks to Real Media for filming!

youtube.com/watch?v=Dnfq84gBVdc

21/04/2023

All five recorded sessions from the Media Democracy Festival are now available for viewing on our youtube channel! Panels on big tech, media and trade unions, public service media - plus our excellent keynote addresses from Zarah Sultana MP and IMPRESS CEO Lexie Kirkconnell-Kawana.

See them all in this playlist:

Recordings of sessions from the main room at the Media Democracy Festival 2023. Recorded 25th March 2023 at Birkbeck, University of London

19/04/2023

The opening keynote from the Media Democracy Festival 2023, by Zarah Sultana MP, is now available on youtube! Keep an eye out for more footage from the festival coming throughout this week.

The opening keynote address from the 2023 Media Democracy Festival, delivered by Zarah Sultana MP. Recorded 25th March 2023 at Birkbeck, University of London...

29/03/2023

https://fb.watch/jzLKGMFTXS/

Many thanks to everyone who attended the Media Democracy Festival last weekend! Here's one of several interviews with participants that Real Media conducted for us on the day - keep an eye out for more footage from the Festival in the coming weeks.

29/03/2023

📰 Last weekend, the Media Reform Coalition brought together independent and mainstream journalists, academics and campaigners, for the annual Media Democracy Festival.

Here, MRC chair Tom Mills, talks about ways to reform the BBC. Read more here 👉 https://realmedia.press/tom-mills-bbc-reform/

24/03/2023

**Tomorrow**

Join us at Birkbeck for a series of talks and conversations on how we can make media more democratic.

Media Democracy Festival 2023 - details here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/media-democracy-festival-2023-tickets-490454611947