Our Vision
A world where everyone has access to factual and trusted information that enables them to respond to issues that shape their future.
Our Mission
To strengthen and support independent media and trusted information providers globally, to serve audiences, combat disinformation and build viable businesses.
Who We Are
Our roots are in journalism, founded almost 65 years ago by Roy, Lord Thomson of Fleet as a media training organisation. Today our work is still shaped by practical expertise and direct knowledge of the pressures facing the media in some of the most challenging places to work in.
Our Focus
Media Viability
We help media innovate to survive and grow, ensuring they remain relevant and resilient in today's fast-paced AI dominated digital world by using technology effectively, experimenting with new products and adapting newsrooms to deliver content that connects with audiences.
Information Integrity
We support independent media to identify and respond to disinformation and information manipulation through practical training, audience insight, editorial support and strategic development.
Marginalised Stories
We help media and content creators serve, reach and listen to communities who feel ignored and underrepresented. Whether serving audiences in exile, telling stories about the environment or using media and information literacy to build lasting relationships.
Our Approach
Locally grounded
We work with local expertise and partners, where support is shaped by context and not imported as a fixed model.
Long-term
We build relationships and networks that allow media organisations and journalists to adapt over time to promote lasting change.
Tailored support
We provide flexible support shaped around each partner’s needs, adapting our methods as contexts, audiences and challenges change, always with human oversight.
Practical
Our work is designed to be used. Whether through training, advisory support, research or convening, we focus on tools, skills and strategies that can be applied in real working environments.
Evidence-led
Our work is informed by research, audience insight and learning from practice. We use evidence to shape support, assess what works and share knowledge across the wider media development field.
How We Work
Thomson Learning
Our blended approach to learning through in-person training, online learning platform Journalism Now and courses on messaging apps.
Thomson Advisory
Expert consultancy focused on sustainability and audience development, providing strategic support to ensure media organisations adapt and thrive.
Annual reviews
Our annual reviews highlight some of our most noteworthy activity from each year, from encouraging engaging journalism with impact that has created prize-winners across the globe and inspiring business models to support independent media, to providing high-quality training and consultancy to ensure the spread of the best contemporary media skills.
2025: What it Takes
What does it take to sustain independent journalism in a harsher, more unstable world? In 2025, Thomson worked with journalists and media organisations confronting repression, disinformation, economic fragility and the ethical challenges of AI. What It Takes follows the people, ideas and collaborations helping journalism adapt, inform and endure.
2024: Beyond the Algorithm
Journalists faced extraordinary pressure in 2024 — from AI-generated deepfakes to censorship, conflict and exile. Beyond the Algorithm features reporters who exposed corruption, media leaders who reimagined business models and trainers who helped build trust in a rapidly shifting media landscape.
2023: Getting it Right
In a year dedicated to precision and integrity, we focused our efforts on empowering journalists and media companies to navigate the complexities of AI, enhance engagement, report on conflicts accurately and fortify the pillars of democracy.
2022: Access all areas
In 2022, we had the highest level of overall revenue in the history of the foundation, and reached our biggest audience with a single training course- a WhatsApp based course on disinformation for journalists in Sudan which was taken by more than 10,000 people.
2021: Essential networks
Many of the challenges that journalists face day to day are not faced in isolation. Our 2021 annual review looks at the power of networks to offer support, knowledge, inspiration, expertise and opportunities.
2020: vision
It was a year that will be long remembered for a pandemic which cost countless lives and dominated news agendas worldwide. Find out how we helped journalists across the globe cover this momentous story responsibly and safely.
2019: The power of truth
A testament to our alumni who report fearlessly from some of the world's toughest datelines.
2018: Migration
Combating fake news and hate speech – nowhere is this more relevant than in the reporting of migration.
2017: Youth takes centre stage
In one of our boldest-ever initiatives, we launched our e-learning portal, Journalism Now.
2016: Measuring up
In an age when funders want a more quantifiable impact, it's gratifying to have detailed external evidence.
2015: Making headlines
We reached a turning point in 2015 with more large-scale projects than before and our biggest ever contract.
From helping to protect media freedoms in Kosovo, to bringing Asian journalists together for a conference in Bali.
