Some big personal news! After an amazing 3 years, I've finished my term as Head of @cityjournalism. It has been the joy & privilege of my career to run the best Journalism Department in the UK & I've loved thinking deeply about the future of journalism & education. (short 🧵) 1/7

RT @FPCThinkTank: @Meljbunce, of @cityjournalism, explored the topic of how decline in media freedom goes ‘hand-in-hand’ with democratic ba….

Kicking off day 2 of the ‘UK Media Freedom Forum’ @CityStGeorges with MP @JWhittingdale on UK response to attacks on journalist. “The UK has gone up to 23rd on world press freedom index… partly because others are going down. ”

RT @cityjournalism: We’re proud to be hosting the ‘UK Media Freedom Forum’ @CityStGeorges over the next two days - with leaders from across….

RT @brettsr: Prof @meljbunce of @cityjournalism opening the UK Media Freedom Forum at @CityStGeorges. A two day event at an important momen….

RT @dfthorne1: 25 countries (more may be added) are calling for an end to excessive use of force against journalists covering protests in #….

I'm very excited to be working with @FPCThinkTank to host a major international summit on media freedom in 2025 at City University with @UNESCO @CoEMediaFreedom @IBAHRI @JFJfund @CityUniLondon. Sign up here for info and to join -

This affected the reporting on America that went to audiences around the world. VoA news reaches around 350million people a week & is esp important in countries where the domestic media is heavily controlled (e.g. in its reporting on China

Journalists told us there was a “climate of fear” under Pack & this changed their reporting on issues from Black Lives Matter to the 2020 election. They self-censored & would include 'false balance'. Some told us it was too ‘risky’ to report on the US so they stopped altogether.

In 2020, Trump appointed Michael Pack, an old friend of Steve Bannon, to run VoA’s parent agency. Pack and his team team infringed the rights of VOA journalists to free speech, according to an OSC investigation

Our book shows that there are very few safeguards to stop a political appointee like Lake from influencing VOA journalists and news content (despite a “firewall” meant to protect the organisation's independence).

Most importantly perhaps, Kari Lake says that VOA's core mission is "chronicling America’s achievements worldwide". Suggesting there will be v little appetite for journalists to report critically on US leadership or policies. And this could be a huge blow for international news.

According to the NYT, Kari Lake has called journalists “monsters”, and described herself as their “worst nightmare” if elected. She has shared misinformation about Covid-19, and she denies some of the 2020 election outcomes

Donald Trump has named Kari Lake as his pick to run Voice of America. This could have profound & negative consequences for journalism around the world. Our new book for @OUPAcademic shows exactly why (w/ Kate Wright, @martinscott2010) THREAD

RT @SmithInAmerica: 'Donald Trump won the 2024 election with one of the smallest popular-vote margins in US history, but in news deserts –….

One of the most important things a university does - and one of the key reasons I’m an academic. Very proud that @CityUniLondon scores so highly.

Donald Trump’s re-election has chilling implications for journalism - from attacks and threats to defunding public media. @julieposetti @kay_lee_w & I set out some of the challenges:

RT @YSLstandards: Gisèle Pelicot graces the cover of vogue germany, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women….

RT @jbennetto: Any students from US or Canada interested in doing a world class MA in journalism (9 courses to pick) we’ve a virtual event….

RT @NewsfromCity: Experts @CityUniLondon explain why a felony didn't stop Trump's reelection, the "podcast election", dangers for a free pr….

RT @lee_georgina: UK exit polls: bing bong, here’s the prime minister. US exit polls: is it better to be loved or feared? Give your answer….