Thomson Foundation

What is the Thomson Foundation?
The Foundation is one of the world’s premier media for development organisations. It was founded in 1962 and since then has worked across the media to build the capacity and develop communications skills for thousands of individuals – journalists, producers, radio and tv technicians; as well providing support to a range of media organisations from community radio stations to large broadcasters and news agencies. It has also worked with many of the UN agencies, NGOs and governments anxious to communicate messages about issues related to conflict resolution, health, the environment or sustainable development.

Why does the Foundation think media for development and training journalists matters?
A strong and independent media where access to information isn’t just the privilege of a few is essential in a democracy, to help citizens to know what is happening in their society and change it if they so choose.

What proportion of the work takes place in the UK and overseas?
On average about 10% of our work takes place at the Foundation’s UK headquarters in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, but approximately 90% is overseas. More important than location is our determination to ensure we meet the needs of the people we are working with so this may dictate the location for the work. Besides practical training, the Foundation also offers advice and arranges practical projects about virtually every aspect of media work.

Could UK journalists apply for courses?
There is no reason why Thomson could not provide training for UK journalists and on our most recent summer course one of the broadcasters applied as she wanted to convert her skills from radio to tv. That said, for most of our history our focus has been to go where the need is greatest and work with journalists from economically developing countries. Until 1990 we tended to concentrate on the emerging nations of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the South Pacific, the Caribbean and South America. Since then it has become increasingly active in the new democracies of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

Is the Foundation part of the UK Government, or funded by it?
No. It is an entirely independent charitable trust, and has no political, religious, economic or cultural links that could restrict or define its work.

Who controls the Foundation?
A board of trustees, chaired by Lord (Geoffrey) Howe. He was a leading member of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s government, serving as her deputy and Leader of the House of Commons from 1989-90. He was Chancellor of the Exchequer (finance minister) from 1979-83, and for the six following years was Foreign Secretary.

Who set it up?
The late Lord Thomson of Fleet, for many years a respected and influential figure in the British media.

Does it seek to promote British values?
No. It works to equip journalists and other media workers to be more effective where they are, and all its courses are designed with this in mind.

Where does the Foundation get its funding?
From a number of generous donors, including the European Union (EU), Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), British Council, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OCSE) and UN agencies like UNESCO. It is also receives funds from independent media institutions like Malayala Manorama newspaper in South India, Al Jazeera in Qatar and Botswana TV.

Does the Thomson Foundation make grants to other organisations?
No. The foundation is able to cover many of its core administrative costs from its own reserves but is unable to support directly, the work of other organisations. The Foundation actively seeks funding and gifts from others in order to deliver its own goals.

How many people work for the Thomson Foundation?
We have a small central team of  people working at our Cardiff HQ,  which manages all the projects most of which are carried out by our team of 48 media specialists. All of them, like the training team at HQ, are themselves journalists or specialists in other aspects of media work – programme makers, managers, circulation and technical experts or experts in a particular field like the environment, health or PR.

This is the strength of what the Thomson Foundation offers: training and capacity building which springs straight from our own experience, and everything we share with course participants we have tried and tested in our own careers.