Media Literacy Project

Explore our series on media literacy, including how journalism works, what press regulation means, how we report responsibly, and how you can identify trustworthy news. From bylines to corrections, these articles explain the inner workings of ethical, local journalism.

Journalists assembled outside the Supreme Court in London Image: Steve Nimmons/Wikipedia

Media Literacy Project: A guide to how journalism works and why it needs your support

Over the past few months, the Bedford Independent has been exploring how journalism works and why that matters. Through our Media Literacy Project, we’ve opened the curtain on...

Support local journalism and help keep trusted news alive

Local journalism matters. It informs communities, holds power to account, and strengthens democracy. But producing accurate, ethical and timely news isn’t free. In fact, it takes...

No reporters, no questions, no accountability: Why news deserts are a threat to our communities

Across the UK and beyond, entire communities are being left without access to reliable, local news. These areas, often referred to as news deserts, are increasing in number...

Why press regulation matters: Corrections, clarifications and transparency – what happens when we get it wrong?

Even the most responsible newsrooms make mistakes. Facts change, people miscommunicate, and sometimes information available at the time turns out to be incomplete or inaccurate...

The importance of context: Why responsible newsrooms don’t always publish every detail

In a fast-paced news cycle, it’s easy to assume that the more information a story contains, the better. But responsible journalism isn’t about publishing everything...

Why journalists ask tough questions and why democracy depends on it

Journalism isn’t about going easy on those in charge - it’s about asking what matters. In a functioning democracy, power must be scrutinised. Journalists are one of the few professions...

Think Britain has a free press? Think again

From illegal surveillance to economic pressure, media monopolies to SLAPP lawsuits, the UK might not be quite the bastion of press freedom it claims to be. According to the 2025 World Press...

Why news is more than a headline: the importance of reading beyond the first line

In the age of push notifications, trending topics and scrolling social feeds, a headline is often the only part of a news story people see. But headlines are just that – headlines...

Opinion isn’t fact: How responsible journalism separates fact-based news from opinion-based columns

In an age of endless headlines, hot takes, and social media shares, it can be easy to blur the line between news and opinion. But that line matters for a healthy democracy and responsible...

From Kyiv to Bedford: Why local journalism matters

To mark World Press Freedom Day (3 May 2025), we are honoured to join other independent publications worldwide in publishing this piece from Olga Rudenko, of the Kyiv Independent...

Media Literacy Project

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