Media Action

BBC Media Action is the BBC’s international development charity. We believe in the power of media and communication to help reduce poverty and support people in understanding their rights. Our aim is to inform, connect and empower people around the world.

We reach more than 200 million people a year, helping them make sense of events, engage in dialogue and take action to improve their lives. We support media and communication efforts that strengthen governance, improve people’s health, strengthen the resilience of vulnerable groups and help them survive, and recover from, natural disaster and other humanitarian emergencies.

Latest from our blogs

Homework vs Housework: gender roles and girls education in South Sudan
Gender roles are often the reason girls drop out of school in South Sudan. Radio show 'Our School' aims to amplify issues and barriers to girls education so they can be discussed and overcome. Our Editor shares an unusual story of a young boy turning the tables on gender stereotypes.
Theory to practice: our work in gender transformative programming
As the world marks International Women's Day, we reflect how long it really takes to change perceptions on women's rights and gender equality and recognise that even incremental change is important.
Women making history in Nepal - the story of Sajha Sawal
As Sajha Sawal (Common Questions) takes a break, we revisit the questions and answers that changed lives - and the evolution of the most-watched debate show in Nepal.
Rohingya crisis: When information is a matter of life and death
Our Executive Director Caroline Nursey describes visiting Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh and our life-saving response to the Rohingya emergency.
Shining a light on girl’s education in South Sudan
How did one student manage to do her homework in the dark and pass her exams? She shared her solution on radio show 'Our School' to inspire other girls across the country to overcome the challenges they face to stay in school.
Helping people in Bangladesh prepare for disasters
What helps - and what stops - people acting to protect themselves against extreme weather events? Our research team share the approach and insight that helped to inform resilience TV programme Amrai Pari.
A novel approach to maternal health in Nigeria
In states across northeast Nigeria, audiences are switching on their radios, turning up the volume, and learning about improving mother and child health by listening to… a novel.
Coping with conflict: making media to support children in Syria
We're supporting media based in the country to make ‘lifeline’ content - animations, radio dramas, cartoons and documentaries – to help children in Syria cope with post-traumatic stress and the dangers of explosive remnants of war.
Story Story: 13 years of drama making a difference in Nigeria
After more than 13 years, over 500 episodes and even a visit from The Queen, Story Story is taking a break. We look back at the history of the popular radio drama and its impact on listeners.
Home safe home: helping people in Nepal ‘build back better’.
For International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction 2017, read how Sajha Sawal is helping displaced communities to get the support they need to rebuild safer homes in safer locations.
Under the wing of BBC Question Time
How a BBC Media Action mentoring programme helped Ali Sharif - who originally wanted to be an airline pilot - to become the director for our Libyan current affairs and debate programme Hiwar Mushtarak.
Express yourself: asking fresh questions with Facebook Live
Murals on the new set of Taja Sawal (Fresh Questions) in Nepal were painted by volunteers to capture the spirit of the programme’s young audience: their concerns, queries, frustration, their eagerness to be heard, and their need to be seen.
Life-saving information to help people affected by extreme flooding
Our teams in Sierra Leone, Nepal and Bangladesh are currently working with humanitarian agencies and media to deliver vital information to people affected by a series of deadly floods, helping them to survive, cope and recover.
“I can speak up for what ebola survivors need”
Post-Ebola syndrome for this survivor was debilitating, but appearing on our radio programmes in Sierra Leone helped him to rebuild his life and inspire others.
How to use media for development – and why it works.
Have you ever wanted to see how we create media for development? Find out more about the research and theory of change behind our projects.
‘Edutainment’ hits the road in Cambodia
Klahan9 (Brave9) embarks on a roadshow helping to educate and entertain young people about employment opportunities and economic security.
This is Our Voice: young people speak up in Sierra Leone
New series Dis Na Wi Voice is featuring positive role models to inspire young people in the country and help change negative stereotyping. Read how this teenage mother dropped out of school but managed to return to education.
Bold female voices: broadcasting under the shadow of Boko Haram
At the height of the Boko Haram insurgency local radio stations stayed on air. Three years on from the Chibok schoolgirls’ kidnapping, Rachael Borlase profiles the female broadcasters in Northern Nigeria proudly telling their own stories.