Reports
Our regular reports provide practical guides for our members to help them maximise their impact in a rapidly changing media landscape and an evidence base for our advocacy.
Behind the Headlines – How UK Broadcasters Report the World
In this report, we sought to answer this question by analysing leading UK broadcasters’ international news coverage on their flagship television news programmes, bulletins, social media feeds, and dedicated apps. Data collection took place across two non-consecutive weeks in January and February 2026. The findings are compared with our previous studies from 2009 and 2016 - and an earlier study, which dates back to 1975.
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Behind the Headlines – How UK Broadcasters Report the World
In this report, we sought to answer this question by analysing leading UK broadcasters’ international news coverage on their flagship television news programmes, bulletins, social media feeds, and dedicated apps. Data collection took place across two non-consecutive weeks in January and February 2026. The findings are compared with our previous studies from 2009 and 2016 - and an earlier study, which dates back to 1975.
Behind the Screen – How streaming is changing public service media
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the UK’s Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) in covering global events through current affairs and other factual programmes on television channels. To achieve this, we analysed the volume, originality, scheduling, genre, and geographic focus of international (non-news) factual programmes broadcast on the main seven UK public service channels – BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, ITV 1, Channel 4 and Channel 5 – in 2023 and 2024.
Small World – International factual programming on public service channels
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the UK’s Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) in covering global events through current affairs and other factual programmes on television channels. To achieve this, we analysed the volume, originality, scheduling, genre, and geographic focus of international (non-news) factual programmes broadcast on the main seven UK public service channels – BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, ITV 1, Channel 4 and Channel 5 – in 2023 and 2024.
Decolonisation – the media challenge
IBT encourages NGOs to work with the media. But the two sectors are not always aligned. This report examines the media's stance on decolonisation. The report interrogates areas of divergence between the media and the charity sector before offering solutions forward.
Fighting for Space: International content and the future of public service media in a digital-first era
As the media landscape continues to change rapidly and radically, we are calling for significant changes to how the PSM providers approach international content.