Independent Journalism

Independent Journalism

For many years the path we walked took us round in circles inside the system commonly referred to as the mainstream media. Like countless young journalists we ventured into this industry brimming with ideals, seeing it as a bastion of public accountability and rigorous institutional scrutiny. We believed this to be the hallmark of countries like the UK that set them apart from others – boasting a free press, independent of governmental or corporate influence. This, we thought, was what guaranteed our freedom in contrast to the oppression witnessed in places like Russia, North Korea, and certain Arab nations.

However, such notions over time revealed their naivety. In countries where press coercion is overt, individuals possess an advantage – they recognise deception when it confronts them. In the UK, coercion manifests in covert financial tactics, shrouded in the clothing of "Brand UK." Journalists in the average narco-state may fear the axe-wielding thug, but we face a subtler menace. Lawyers draped in expensive suits arrive, hinting at prolonged consequences veiled in legal jargon. Their counterparts within the press organisations themselves eagerly “mitigate risks”, perpetuating a cycle of silence. Disparities in media coverage beg questions: why are certain issues spotlighted while others fade into obscurity? Who dictates these decisions? Wealthy elites, bolstered by legions of lawyers have no need for the letter bomb when the threatening letter gets them what they want. It's not a bribe; it's just a "research grant." These bullies masquerade as "stakeholders," and "partners" propagating narratives devoured and recycled dutifully and uncritically by the media conglomerates they own.

Recent years have unearthed unsettling truths, hinting at a sinister undercurrent within our revered "fourth estate." Despite these whispers, addressing the issue remains a daunting task. It's a monstrous spectre lurking beneath the nation's bed, thriving on our apathy, poised to devour us once it outgrows our neglect.

Within television newsrooms, democracy does not exist. Talk of "creativity" belies the reality of rigid hierarchies. Entry-level journalists quickly grasp the importance of the unbroken chain of command, knowing deviation means expulsion. Dissenters are sidelined while conformists ascend, prioritising hierarchy over truth and viewer welfare.

Every desk editor knows their superior - but who do they answer to, and who do they answer to in turn? Do super-wealthy entities acquire media outlets out of a yearning for honest discourse, or do they seek to shape narratives to suit their agendas?

After years lost in this labyrinth our conscience compelled us to walk a different path. We find ourselves equipped with skills honed over two decades – wielding cameras, crafting compelling scripts. The question arises: to whom do we offer these skills? Perhaps directly to you. Perhaps we can leverage our expertise to fulfil the idealistic aspirations of our younger selves: to unveil truths with accuracy, brevity, and clarity. More naivety? Perhaps. But we won’t let go of this vision, as long as we are alive and free to hold on to it..