Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom (CPBF)
for diverse, democratic and accountable media
TwitterOn the BBC’s Today programme yesterday, some nine hours after the horror of the Manchester bombing, Nick Robinson was speaking to Chris Phillips, a counter-terrorism expert. ‘Terrorists don’t care who they kill,’ Phillips said. ‘It’s the number of bodybags that determines success.’ ‘And the publicity,’ Robinson interjected. ‘And the publicity,’ Phillips agreed. The Today … [Read more...]
AvaazThis week the two main parties published their election manifestos. Labour’s, which is set out below, is tighter on media reform than the leak from the previous week, and represents a good basis to build on (see CPBF's Media Manifesto for what that could look like). The Conservatives, on the other hand have thrown the press owners a life line by pledging to scrap part 2 … [Read more...]
The crisis in the media must be resolved by putting checks on the big corporations that dominate the market, according to an election manifesto published by a media campaign group today. There should be limits on how much the companies can own, and if they exceed them – as Rupert Murdoch’s corporations do, they must be required to stick to certain standards in the public … [Read more...]
“Rupert Murdoch 2011 Shankbone” by David Shankbone is licensed under CC BY 2.0It’s a really big moment, Kelvin MacKenzie getting the push from the Sun. Kelvin MacKenzie is one of the last people Rupert Murdoch would want to lose. For more than 30 years – longer than anyone else around him, since Murdoch picked him up from the Daily Express to lead the charge for Thatcherism, reaction and war -- MacKenzie has absolutely personified the Sun. He is pure … [Read more...]
Infamous The Truth front page of The Sun published when now suspended Kelvin MacKenzie was still editor of the paper. Fair use.Kelvin MacKenzie has been suspended from The Sun on the eve of the anniversary of 96 deaths at Hillsborough, making CPBF's Granville Williams' "Truth lies and a 28-year search for justice" for the latest edition of ColdType more pertinent than ever. Before we share Granville's article (below), here is a snippet of the article that led to Kelvin MacKenzie's … [Read more...]
RSF TürkçeAfter a 6 year ordeal an Istanbul court on 12 April ordered the acquittal of 13 suspects, including journalists and writers, charged with membership of the Ergenekon organisation in the OdaTV case. Among those acquitted is journalist Muysser Yildiz who was adopted in a solidarity move by the NUJ in 2012. According to press reports the court unanimously acquitted the suspects … [Read more...]
THE National Union of Journalists' "Local News Matters" campaign seems to have provoked an immediate response from publishers. The chief executives of 24 regional publishing companies in the UK and Republic of Ireland signed an open letter placed as full page adverts in their papers this week by the 1XL advertising sales partnership. The headline says: "UK's regional … [Read more...]
BylineA series of crowd-funded investigative reports into the use of private investigators by Associated Newspapers, publishers of the Daily Mail, has provoked a threat of a libel action from editor Paul Dacre. The revelations were published on the Byline website following thorough research into original documentation. The reports allege that Associated Newspapers kept quiet in … [Read more...]
“George Osborne” by mrgarethm is licensed under CC BY 2.0The appointment of George Osborne as editor of the Evening Standard signals the continued demise of trusted mainstream media sources at a time of great political strife in Britain. We have come together to denounce the brazen conflict of interest advocated by this announcement, and to champion the growing need for independent, truthful and representative media … [Read more...]
Adam Christie (www.asperceived.com)Granville was presented with the long-service and outstanding development award by regional secretary Bill Adams at this year's Yorkshire and Humber TUC annual general meeting in Bradford this weekend. More than 120 delegates applauded as Granville received his certificate. In announcing the award at the start of the first day's proceedings, Bill said: “Granville has a … [Read more...]