Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom (CPBF)
for diverse, democratic and accountable media
by Granville Williams This final issue of Free Press (.pdf) looks at what the CPBF set out to do, what it achieved and also indicates what the urgent issues for media reform are now. Inevitably space constraints mean that there are gaps. We mention only a few of the books and pamphlets produced over the years by the CPBF. Free Press did special supplements when the US … [Read more...]
THINK BACK: if you were around at the turn of the century, how much do you reckon you were spending on media each week? On a couple of papers a day, magazines, or (heaven forbid) pay-TV? What d’you reckon? £20 a week in today’s values? Perhaps more? So what do you spend that £20 on now? Do you spend £80 or £100 a month on online media; really? and if not, how do you … [Read more...]
Liis Saar CPBF's submission to the Cairncross review call for evidence: … [Read more...]
The International Federation of Journalists has warmly welcomed ideas put forward by UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn to raise funds to support investigative and public service media by forcing big technology firms to pay their fair share of tax. Plans to democratise the BBC, give tax breaks to not-for-profit public interest journalistic outfits and to build an … [Read more...]
Garry KnightThe Media Reform Coalition writes: Jeremy Corbyn’s proposals for major reforms to our ‘failing’ media system, outlined in a speech to the Edinburgh Television Festival on 23 August, are much-needed and long overdue. They lay out the basis for a more accountable and representative media that promotes new sources of independent journalism, demands that the biggest tech … [Read more...]
Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: “The NUJ welcomes bold proposals that seek to protect and bolster public service broadcasting, and aim to carve a future for the BBC that is free from the ceaseless political pot-shots lobbed its way in the last two licence-fee settlements that have undermined its resources and threatened its ability to deliver quality content … [Read more...]
Plans to tax leading media-technology firms, as outlined by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn today (Thursday 23 August), would finance much needed greater diversity in the media, Unite, the country’s largest union, said. Unite said that the Labour leader is ‘definitely on the right track’ with his proposals for a ‘digital license fee’ to help BBC funding and diversity, paid for … [Read more...]
The end of CPBF At the 2018 AGM of CPBF the following motion to close down the Campaign, proposed by our National Council (NC) passed: “In view of the continuing decline of the financial situation of our organisation this Annual General Meeting has decided to close down the CPBF and cease all campaigning, administrative and financial processes by no later than 30th November … [Read more...]
PEOPLE who can’t stand the Radio 4 Today programme missed a rare flash of insight yesterday when Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge was telling Martha Kearney about the anti-semitic hate messages she was receiving from social media, some of it through pro-Corbyn Facebook pages. Kearney, who is an honest journalist, remarked: “But you can’t be sure they are [from] Labour Party … [Read more...]
Prolific NorthThe Secretary of State, Matt Hancock, has approved Reach’s (formerly Trinity Mirror) takeover of Express Newspapers. Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: Continuing to work with staff to improve the reach and commercial success of the titles should now be Simon Fox’s priority. Full and meaningful consultation with the NUJ is vital to address the concerns of … [Read more...]