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What We Stand For
The Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom is an independent voice for media reform. We work to promote policies for diverse and democratic media.
The Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom was established in 1979. For over two decades we have worked for a more accountable, freer and diverse media. Our aims are listed below - if you agree with them, please join us or ask your union, union branch or other organisation to affiliate. Click 'Membership Application' to download a membership form.
To challenge the myth that press freedom is best served by current forms of ownership and control, and by 'self-regulation' on the part of the Press Complaints Commission.
To defend the principles of public service broadcasting and to argue for democratically accountable forms of broadcasting regulation which actively promote and encourage high programme standards and genuine cultural diversity. The Campaign firmly believes that broadcasting is a public service as fundamental to the wellbeing of our democracy as our education and health systems, and should under no circumstances be treated as merely a producer of commodities. Equally, the Campaign holds that broadcast audiences must be treated, first and foremost, as citizens with distinct communicative rights, and not merely as consumers of entertainment products.
To encourage informed debate on the implications for media content of technological advances in the whole communications arena in order to ensure that the public interest is safeguarded and that commercial interests do not override democratic accountability.
To carry out research, lobby and generate public debate on alternative forms of ownership and regulation of the media in order to guarantee freedom both from state interference in all its various forms, and, equally importantly, from domination by vast, unaccountable business interests.
To campaign for the right of media workers to carry out their professional duties free from pressure or interference from media owners.
To help to unite the efforts of trade unionists inside and outside the media in promoting fair and accurate coverage that reflects a wide diversity of views and cultures.
To work actively alongside trade unionists, civil society groups and social movements who are creating alternative, democratic and independent media as a response to being denied a voice in the mainstream media.
To help and encourage media workers and the media and communications unions in promoting values of diversity, and in particular promoting positive coverage of traditionally disadvantaged and marginalised groups.
To campaign for a statutory Right of Reply in the press, which is absolutely fundamental not only to redressing inaccuracies and bias but also to raising journalistic standards.
To campaign for a reduction in legal restrictions on media freedom such as the libel laws, the Official Secrets Act, and legislation pertaining to confidentiality.
To campaign for free and fair access to information for all news outlets, and, in particular, to campaign for a significantly improved Freedom of Information Act.
To campaign against any measures which entail that the flow of information from the state to the media is distorted by political interference or manipulated for political gain.
To campaign for publications' statutory right of access to the distribution system and a guaranteed right of display.
LINKSMembership Application
Last modified: Friday, June 6, 2008
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Notices
Events & Announcements
World Press Freedom Day
More reporters are currently imprisoned in Turkey than in any other country in the world. Only a matter of weeks ago lawyers failed to persuade a Turkish court to release a 76-year-old journalist from a Turkish internet news station.
World Press Freedom Day on Friday May 3, 2013 is being marked in Britain by a rally to highlight the dangers facing journalists in Turkey and in this podcast, Nicholas Jones speaks to Barry White, Organiser at the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, and Sam Bamford, the TUC's policy officer for Eastern Europe and Africa about the importance of a campaign to highlight international press freedom.
The World Press Freedom Day rally is being staged by the National Union of Journalists at the NUJ head office, Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1 on Thursday May 2, 6pm-8pm.
DATELINE: 27/4/13
UK launch of EU media campaign
DATELINE: 13/3/13
The UK launch of a 'European Citizens' Initiative' calling for EU rules against concentration of media power will take place on Thursday March 21 from 11:00am – 12:30pm in Committee Room 4A at the House of Lords, London. Guest speakers will include actor and activist Hugh Grant (pictured), media consultant Claire Enders, Professor Steven Barnett, Barry McCall (President of the NUJ) and Marc Gruber (Director of the European Federation of Journalists).
A European Citizens' Initiative is an official petition, like a Downing Street petition. If it succeeds in gathering a million signatures across the EU, the Commission is obliged to respond.
This petition calls for the EU to act to protect media pluralism and press freedom.
CPBF Annual General Meeting
DATELINE: 1/3/13
Make a note in your diary
Saturday 13 July 2013 from 10.00am
NUJ HQ, 308/312 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1.
Leveson, media ownership, CPBF future work.
DOWNLOAD FREEPRESS NOW
DATELINE: 26/3/10
Download Freepress in PDF, ePub or mobi format. Issue 194 now available.
MEDIA FOR ALL CONFERENCE
DATELINE: 26/3/10
Papers from the Media for All Conference
MEDIA MANIFESTO
DATELINE: 26/3/10
The media’s job is to inform and entertain us but we rely on them too to tell us what our rulers and representatives are up to. In the run-up to the Iraq war the government used spin and disinformation in the media to create panic and mislead people. The truth is coming out now, but we need stronger, more independent media to be able to scrutinise governments and make informed choices.
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