We have just produced a short briefing document that provides an overview of critical debates currently taking place in UK media policy. Each of these issues involves serious policy failures, corporate abuses of power or underlying structural crises that threaten the ability of media organisations to hold powerful groups to account, serve the public interest and support the democratic process. The briefing outlines a policy agenda focused on:

• The future of the BBC and the licence fee
• Channel 4 privatisation
• Government appointments and media independence
• Media plurality
• Local journalism and press regulation

It draws on recent MRC research for the UK Media Influence Matrix, the Manifesto for a People’s Media and our 2021 research on UK media ownership. Over the next few months, we will be producing further briefings on a range of topics including a detailed analysis of the licence fee settlement, media plurality and ownership and forthcoming Online Harms legislation. The briefing document is available to read here.