Meet the BBC's international charity
We are BBC Media Action - we believe in media and communication for good
Donate to our COVID-19 appeal
BBC Media Action is the BBC’s international charity - we believe in media and communication for good. Last year, we reached more than 130 million people in some of the world’s poorest and most fragile countries. Our projects and programmes save lives, protect livelihoods, counter misinformation, challenge prejudice and build democracy.
Who we areAs the BBC's international charity, we work to a distinct mission underpinned by the editorial values of the BBC. Learn more about who we are, what we stand for, our people and our finances.
Our workWe reached more than 130 million people last year – helping to save lives and improve health, protect livelihoods, challenge inequality and build more peaceful and democratic societies. Learn more about what we do.
Our insight and impactAudiences are at the heart of everything we do; we go to great lengths to understand the people who most need our programmes. Delve into our data, use our research library and explore our impact and insight.
Support us todayAs an independent charity, we are not directly funded by the BBC Licence Fee. Our vital work relies on our donors - governments, foundations, corporations and individuals. Donate today to support our mission.
Latest news
Living Climate Change: six unheard storiesOur new short film series shares first-person accounts from Bangladesh, Kenya and Nepal, demonstrating how climate change is already disrupting lives, livelihoods and health.
Our promise on equity, diversity and inclusionOur CEO and our Chair write about our ambitious goals on equity, diversity and inclusion.
'It was as if the moon had landed on the Earth' - working through turmoil in AfghanistanOur Afghanistan country director, Shoaib Sharifi, is BBC News' Leader of the Year. Read his blog to learn about the complexities of working through a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Our global response to COVID-19For more than 20 years, BBC Media Action has provided vital health information to vulnerable people around the world, and helped them cope in moments of crisis. We are responding now to the COVID-19 pandemic with creative communication.
'...and Action!' How media can address climate change in countries most affectedOur new policy note demonstrates how donors, policymakers and climate experts can enhance the impact of their climate change plans and strategies by leveraging the power of media and communication.
The ultimate 'stress test' - building coalitions for media supportIs building effective coalitions between international partners and local media organisations the ultimate ‘stress test’? On BBC Media Action Insight, read how our PRIMED project supports coalitions to share best practice and unlock funding.
Supporting communities affected by crisis: what we have learnedOur research manager Nicola Bailey describes how we support communities affected by crisis, how our work has evolved, and reflects on what we've learned.
Off the beaten track in South Sudan: taking action to support women's rightsOur senior project manager in South Sudan recounts a visit to one of our listening groups, and how our programme prompted Mama Lia to take action to support her daughter's rights.
Media at the heart of climate actionWatch our new film, making the case for media and communication as essential in climate action.
Effective communication for Rohingya refugeesOur 'Common Service' consortium, with Translators without Borders and Ground Truth Solutions, provides a range of tools and services for Rohingya people, local community leaders and humanitarian responders. Learn more about our work, our insight and our impact on this page.
The power of research: our work with WHO during the pandemic in AfricaAt the height of the pandemic, in partnership with World Health Organization, we designed a COVID-19 behavioural insights tool. Our Head of Research and Senior Research Manager reflect on the process and the insights that helped inform the COVID-19 response and service delivery in the Africa Region.
Brave dreams: Klahan9 is inspiring young people in CambodiaOur youth-led television series, Klahan9 House, combines entertainment, comedy and real stories. Go behind the scenes with the team's youngest member to find out how multimedia project and trusted brand Klahan9 has tackled the challenges and barriers facing young people.
Challenging attitudes on disability: The return of Story StoryOur popular radio drama reflecting the lives of ordinary Nigerians is back on air across sub-Saharan Africa with a new focus – to transform attitudes around people with disabilities, with storylines, actors and writers that reflect their experiences.
Meet Suspilne: a rebranded, modern broadcaster in UkraineEarlier this month, our partner in Ukraine, Suspilne (Public), unveiled a modern newsroom that will form the central hub for its rebranded operations. Read about the process with our partners.
Tackling information disorderFalse and misleading information divides societies and threatens our health and well-being. Curbing its spread is an urgent and difficult challenge. Our work supports people and media organisations to counter the production and spread of misinformation.
The ‘Invaluables’ Waste collectors work towards saving the environment by collecting, sorting, segregating, and recycling different kinds of waste. Yet, in India they remain invisible. By sparking a conversation through a unique social experiment, our latest project seeks to build recognition of the value they bring to people’s lives and our environment.
Increasing women’s digital literacy in India: what worksOur series of publications from the Digital Women’s Empowerment project looks at efforts to improve women’s digital literacy in India and identifies approaches that show promise of sustainability at scale.
Period talk in South Sudan: community volunteers inspire change for women and girlsRadio programme ‘Let’s Talk About Us’ aims to dispel common misconceptions about sexual and reproductive health, to tell people’s stories – both positive and negative - and feature health experts. Community Mobilisation Officer Jane Kenyi, shares her own story and experiences with listener groups in rural communities.
'Thoughts of my Burmese friends haunt me still' - reflecting on MyanmarBBC Media Action Myanmar Series Producer Dipak Bhattarai was working in Yangon when the military coup took place in the early morning of 1 February. He reflects on the experience of living under a military-controlled Myanmar, and what it means for the journalists and friends who remain there.
Building social cohesion in Libya With over 1 million followers, the El Kul social media platform promotes the inclusion and participation of women in society and tolerance of diversity amid the conflict. Meet the team of Libya-based freelance reporters and Tunis-based BBC Media Action content producers who make our daily El Kul content.
PRIMED: Pathways to media sustainability in a broken marketThis working paper assesses whether fresh approaches to public subsidy might provide part of a solution to supporting independent media, especially in low-and middle-income settings.
Media at scale during a pandemic – COVID-19 in NigeriaAlmost one year on since the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Nigeria, our country director reflects on the impact of our mass media programming and the work still to come on tackling vaccine hesitancy and a worrying 'second wave'.
Five mantras for effective COVID-19 vaccine communicationWell-designed communication can increase healthy behaviours, including vaccine uptake. As global scientists get closer to an effective COVID-19 vaccine, here are our top five mantras for how to think about vaccine communication to ensure a successful rollout.
