Researchers at Cardiff University will study the impartiality of political news and identify where editorial standards can be raised to better inform its audiences.
The two-year project, led by Professor Stephen Cushion and Dr Matt Walsh from the School of Journalism, Media and Culture, will examining the production, content and reception of broadcast, online and social media in the UK and internationally.
In collaboration with leading broadcasters - BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky News - the project represents one of the most ambitious and in-depth studies of its kind. It will provide evidence-based solutions to improving the quality of journalism, building on the work Professor Cushion has led about the impartiality of news.
Principal investigator Professor Cushion said: "Given the growing concerns about political disinformation and declining levels of trust in an increasingly fragmented digital media environment, it is vital the public have access to accurate and impartial news and analysis. Our project is designed to work constructively with media practitioners and the wider public to identify where editorial standards can be raised to help inform and engage citizens."
The project, 'Enhancing the impartiality of news: An analysis of political reporting, will start on 1 July 2025 and is supported by a £755,625 research grant awarded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
It will recruit two full-time research associates to help carry out the analysis of news, conduct focus groups with audiences, as well as help analyse interviews with media practitioners, and representative surveys conducted by YouGov.
Professor Cushion added: "We hope this research will provide important evidence to news outlets about where they can improve practices to ensure coverage of political events is giving the public the tools to make sense of an increasingly complex and polarised world."
