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Accountability, participation and bridging divides

´óÏó´«Ã½ Media Action is the BBC's international charity. We believe that independent public interest media and trusted communication are at the core of development and essential for inclusive, peaceful and democratic societies, including free and fair elections.

Watch 'The Power of Talk', which highlights how media programmes help empower people to influence the decisions that affect their lives.

It’s harder than ever for people to know where to turn for reliable, balanced information. Trusted media are essential in helping people to understand and address problems in their daily lives, to support effective, inclusive governance, and to hold those in positions of power to account.

´óÏó´«Ã½ in radio, television, digital and other communication content ensures people have better access to accurate, credible and balanced information. ´óÏó´«Ã½ helps people understand their rights, and the responsibilities of those in power, and creates space for inclusive public discussion on issues of importance to people’s lives. And we enable people to meet and speak directly with their decision-makers, to make them answerable for their actions. We help support fair elections, challenge mis- and disinformation, and help people live together more peacefully.

Addressing conflict and bridging divides

We use mass media, digital and community outreach to help prevent and resolve conflict and build more peaceful societies. ´óÏó´«Ã½ provides trusted information, convenes inclusive discussion, helps dispel mis/disinformation, and uses stories and ideas to bridge divides, build tolerance and empathy, reduce the acceptance of violence and encourage a more peaceful negotiation of differences.

Our diverse programmes span the globe: from South Sudan and Libya to Afghanistan to Myanmar, and many places in between, our creative communications and support for media are contributing to fairer, more peaceful and more inclusive societies. 

Reaching everyone

Drawing upon our audience insights and research, we develop new and creative ways to reach groups traditionally less engaged in politics – including women and young people, who are a particular focus.

And we believe in diversity and inclusion, ensuring women, people with disabilities, and those marginalised by race, ethnicity, class or caste are represented as presenters, experts and contributors in our programmes, to create more diverse content and ensure our governance programmes are relevant to everyone.

 

Accountability and participation

Read blogs on governance

Addressing conflict and bridging divides

  • Khan Sar Kyi: a national discussion for understanding and peace

    Khan Sar Kyi ('Feel it') aims to build a broad and inclusive public debate in Myanmar by showcasing diverse perspectives on identity and increasing audience understanding of the causes of, and potential solutions to, conflict. We give people the opportunity to share and understand their differences and similarities in a journey towards greater understanding and peaceful co-existence.
  • Encouraging non-violent conflict resolution in South Sudan

    ´óÏó´«Ã½ Media Action is contributing towards peace-building in South Sudan by producing Life in Lulu, a long-running radio drama series which encourages listeners to resolve conflicts in their households and communities in non-violent ways.
  • Celebrating 5 years of The Tea Cup Diaries

    As our flagship peace-building radio drama, The Tea Cup Diaries, marks its fifth anniversary, learn how the show has helped bridge divides between diverse communities in Myanmar, and how it continues to support and entertain its loyal following during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Balancing an unbalanced media scene in Libya

    The majority of media outlets in Libya are polarised, and journalists may face arrest or kidnap for what they write. With El Kul, we work to provide balance in a very unbalanced media scene, over the years, our work has included journalist training and mentoring; however, the environment now is unpredictable – our team in North Africa talk about the importance of the project to bridge societal divides.

More about our governance work

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