Organisations running campaigns & other efforts to reform or revolutionise the way the media works. See also our twitter list.
BECTU
A major trade union, representing over 40,000 staff in the media and creative industries. Part of the Prospect union. See also the BECTU Black members committee. Website – Twitter
British Broadcasting Challenge
Advocates for more widespread discussion of the future of public service broadcasting, and against the behind-closed-doors approach to the management of the BBC that has prevailed under recent governments. Website – Twitter
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ)
An independent, not-for-profit newsroom that conducts in-depth investigations into a variety of local, national and international issues. Aims to expose systemic injustice and counter misinformation. Website – Twitter
Campaign for Freedom of Information
Founded in 1984, this campaign played a key role in getting the Freedom of Information Act adopted in 2000, and has worked to defend it from successive governments who have since tried to erode it. Website – Twitter
Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM)
A project of the Muslim Council of Britain, the CfMM works to highlight trends of negative representation of Islam and Muslims in the UK media, and to promote good practice for better standards of reporting. Website – Twitter
Charitable Journalism Project (CJP)
A charity that produces research, policy and evidence to protect and develop public interest journalism, primarily through advocating for the expansion of charitable status to more journalist organisations. Website – Twitter
Decentred Media
Developed by Better Media member Dr Rob Watson, Decentred Media supports the development of community media projects, particularly community radio and podcasting. Website – Twitter
Empoword Journalism
An independent, women-led publication working to unite and empower female and non-binary journalists internationally. Formerly the Women In Journalism Project. Website – Twitter
Hacked Off
High-profile campaign born out of the phone-hacking scandals of the early 2010s. Campaigns for more effective regulation of the mainstream press to protect the public and safeguard freedom of expression. Website – Twitter
IMPRESS
Independent regulator of press standards. The only UK regulator recognised by the Press Recognition Panel as meeting requirements for independence and capability. Website – Twitter
Independent Community News Network
Represents over 100 community news outlets across the UK. Supports outlets in holding power to account, producing public interest journalism, and otherwise fulfilling the functions of the fourth estate that the modern mainstream often fails to. Website – Twitter
Independent Media Association (IMA)
The representative body for a large proportion of UK independent media outlets. Advocates for that sector on the national level, as well as promoting individual outlets’ own media reform campaigns. Website – Twitter
Media Diversified
Non-profit founded in 2013 with a mission to challenge the demographic homgeneity of UK news media. Publishes an online magazine produced by and for writers and readers of colour. Website – Twitter
Media Diversity Institute (MDI)
International NGO working to encourage accurate and nuanced reporting on race, religion, ethnic, class, disability, gender and sexual identity issues. Their website hosts a wide array of related resources for journalists and students. Website – Twitter
Campaign For Press & Broadcasting Freedom (North)
The other successor to the long-running Campaign for Press & Broadcasting Freedom (CPBF), alongside Better Media. Continues to campaign for diverse, democratically accountable media in the North of England. Also known as Media North. Website – Twitter
The largest UK trade union for journalists and media workers. Represents both staff and freelance journalists working for all kinds of publications. Campaigns on behalf of its members to defend jobs, improve representation of and provision for minorities, and lobby the government. Website – Twitter
Open Rights Group
UK-based digital campaigning organisation, working to protect rights to privacy and free speech online since 2005. Raises awareness of online threats to human rights through public campaigns, legal action, policy interventions and other methods. Website – Twitter
Peace and Justice Project
Founded by Jeremy Corbyn, the Peace and Justice Project is continuing the work he has done in his parliamentary career to bring people together for social and economic justice. Has set up a number of local news clubs across the country to help people find reliable sources of news outside of the mainstream. Website – Twitter
Public Interest News Foundation (PINF)
An organisation set up to address the challenges faced by independent news providers in the UK, through advocacy, advice and grant funding. Involved in several major ongoing projects, including the Manifesto for a People’s Media and a swath of Local News Plans. Website – Twitter
QueerAF
Newsletter-based publication set up to provide the coverage of LGBTQIA+ issues that mainstream, ad-driven media refuses to publish. Supports queer creatives to build transformative careers in the media through mentoring programmes. Website – Twitter
Reform Political Advertising
Campaign calling for the introduction of regulation to prevent lies in electoral advertising. Engaged in political lobbying as well as public campaigning. Website – Twitter
Solutions Journalism Network
Network set up to support and spread the practice of ‘solutions journalism’. Solutions journalism is reporting that highlights the ways in which people and communities (not corporations or governments) are creating solutions to social issues, with the intention of enabling more communities to engage in similar practice. Website – Twitter
Stop Funding Hate
Innovative and frequently successful campaign to defund right-wing publications that propagate hateful rhetoric by lobbying organisations that advertise in those publications to stop doing so. Website – Twitter
Stop Funding Heat
Sibling campaign of Stop Funding Hate, working to defund publications that propogate climate denial by lobbying organisations that advertise in those publications to stop doing so. Website – Twitter
Voice of the Listener and Viewer (VLV)
Long-running charity representing the interests of TV & radio consumers in policy and government decision-making. Promotes diversity in public broadcasting, alongside a high quality of informative and entertaining content generally. Website – Twitter
