Advancing Public Service Media

Overview

The goal of this work is to develop vibrant public interest media that engages and informs citizens worldwide on critical issues.

The Challenge

Media can help people make sense of the issues that are central to their lives and communities. Yet even as new technologies are making media ubiquitous, public interest values in media are threatened by access and control issues, diminishing the potential for millions to become better informed and engaged in the critical matters shaping the future of our world.

What We're Doing

To expand media's role in building stronger and freer societies, we are working to develop a vibrant public interest media service for the 21st century in Eastern Africa, West Africa, Indonesia, and India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Our grants will help:

Create a pipeline of high-quality content, representing diverse and independent perspectives
Strengthen the technology and distribution systems that allow people to access and contribute to this material
Boost public discussion and research about the ways in which media can better engage and inform all citizens

Learn more about how our strategies and approaches shape our grant making.

From the Newsroom

In the Headlines: Exposing Corruption From Afar Journalists from the developing world break news in their home countries while living abroad
Speeches: Ford Foundation President Speaks at the Paley Center for Media Remarks on the need to take risks in new media development and foster a new generation of public-minded media pioneers
News from Ford: Ford Foundation Appoints Jonathan Barzilay to Direct its Work on Freedom of Expression “We are tremendously excited about the fresh ideas and depth of experience he’ll bring to our work,” says Ford’s vice president for Education, Creativity and Free Expression
In the Headlines: Ford Foundation Visionary Featured in USA Today Jeremy Heimans discusses doing good and building online social movements