United Kingdom – General Report
The United Kingdom (UK) is one of Europe’s most populous countries, with 66.7 million inhabitants. The country is composed of four nations […]
Countries: United Kingdom
United Kingdom – (C9) Watchdog function and financial resources
Financial constraints in a highly competitive commercialized sector have constrained the UK media’s ability optimally to perform its democratic watchdog function, yet investigative journalism has benefited from leaked information and the recent enactment of freedom of information legislation.
United Kingdom – (C8) Professional training
Professional training has always been good in the broadcasting sector, not least because of the BBC. The situation in the press sector has undergone a marked professionalization. Most UK journalists nowadays have degrees and on the job training opportunities appear to be prevalent.
United Kingdom – (C7) The watchdog and the media’s mission statement
The public service broadcasters score highly on this criterion, and so do the Guardian Media Group and the Guardian quality newspaper. However, in the newspaper sector at large mission statements (beyond the pithy) are not evident.
United Kingdom – (C6) Practice of access to information
Until recently the UK would have scored low on this criterion (1) but the enactment of Freedom of Information legislation in 2000 has significantly improved access to information.
United Kingdom – (C5) Journalist’s job security
The overall stability of employment levels disguises the fact that journalists operating in a climate of employment insecurity and casualization (short term contracts, freelancing, etc.) have faced markedly increased productivity pressures, which is bound to impact on quality.
United Kingdom – (C4) Journalist professionalism
There is a highly professional journalistic culture in the broadcasting sector, with the BBC setting a high standard. In the press sector the picture is mixed.
United Kingdom – (C3) Transparency of data on media system
There is a fairly high degree of transparency of data on the UK media.
United Kingdom – (C2) Independence of the news media from power holders
The UK news media enjoy a high degree of independence from political power holders.
United Kingdom – (C1) Supervising the watchdog ’control of the controllers’
The UK media are subject to considerable scrutiny by official regulators and civil society media monitoring organizations, but there is little involvement on the part of the general public.
