For nearly 60 years, we have helped raise standards of journalism through training, consultancy and strategic advice. We deliver positive change in media and communications as a way of improving public engagement and governance.
Our vision is to ensure all people have an honest, factual account of what is really happening in the world, by ensuring journalists have the right skills to build independent media enterprises that can survive and thrive in the digital world.
Thousands of journalists across the globe have benefitted from our multilingual blended approach to training, mixing face-to-face workshops with online and mobile learning in a range of skills and contemporary topics.
Through emphasis on audience engagement, innovation and business support we have helped hundreds of local and regional independent media organisations build sustainable outlets.
We have achieved international recognition for the work of hundreds of young journalists – many from emerging economies - through high profile competitions.
Latest
2020 vision
It was a year that will be long remembered for a pandemic which cost countless lives, disrupted international travel and trade and dominated news agendas worldwide.
Our 2020 annual review looks at how we were able to help journalists across the globe cover this momentous story responsibly and safely.
At the same time, we were able to honour commitments to deliver all our contracted programmes. The key to this was innovation.
Journalism Now
"Pandemics, power cuts and vast distances will never be able to stop people wanting to learn and make their world a better place" – Derek Ivens, Thomson Foundation trainer
Major projects
The migration crisis, post-truth politics, Ukraine conflict, international terrorism, the war in Syria; there has never been a more important time for accurate and balanced news. Since 2016 the Thomson Foundation, supported by the European Union, has been at the heart of the issues, delivering its biggest ever project, the OPEN Media Hub.
Europe needs to understand more about the real situation of neighbourhood countries.
The Building Media Capacity programme in Sudan has helped to train 500 journalists since its launch. The foundation also mentors 210 selected journalists who pass on their knowledge to colleagues. The project is underpinning a strong, well-educated and informed media which will play a crucial part in building the Sudan of the future.
Being part of the media project has given me a new perspective.
Illustrations: Eleanor Shakespeare; Lebanon image: Ammar Abd Rabbo/Daraj Media
