Action at PSC's AGM, 14th February

from Jonathan Coulter, CAMPAIN, and Liz Pendleton of Media Revolution

We have succeeded in putting down a motion at PSC’s forthcoming AGM on Feb 14th. “Make media reform a strategic priority in PSC’s Annual Plans”. You can see the full motion below, and you can also find it in PSC’s latest Annual Report – motion no. 7, page 34.

The following four paragraphs summarise the motion - you may find it useful to forward them to contacts who may also support them:

We can all see that biased and dehumanising UK media coverage is blocking public understanding of the genocide in Palestine and the UK’s role in enabling it. Without confronting this, even the strongest organising and mobilising efforts are continually undermined.

A new motion is being put forward at the PSC AGM to make media reform a strategic priority alongside its core work, and to collaborate with media-reform allies (such as the Media Reform Coalition, the Hacked Off Campaign, Media Revolution, and the Independent Media Association) to challenge disinformation and amplify Palestinian voices and the journalists producing accurate reporting that is being ignored or silenced.

This would strengthen and extend PSC’s existing work and help raise the profile of Palestinian-led media, support other justice struggles, and – together with allies – confront a UK media system that has been captured and corrupted. Marches and protests are increasingly ignored or vilified by the media who have unchecked influence over public opinion and therefore government policy. PSC can be a critical part of changing this.

If you want PSC’s impact to match the scale of the injustice, please Support Motion 7 – Media Reform for Palestine!

We have deliberately focused on a broad policy decision rather than going into detail about the actions envisaged. PSC has much to offer media reform efforts by leveraging the support of its large subscriber base, high profile journalists and public figures some of whom speak at the marches, and media allies have much to offer PSC in return. If members wish there is scope for more detail, including boosting independent media, a rebuttal group and other initiatives, but the fundamental message in the motion is that the mainstream media is not fit for purpose as far as Palestine is concerned, and needs drastic reform. 

We think the motion is unobjectionable, but you never know – there is always the possibility that PSC will prioritise other things on the day. For that reason we hope that those of you who are PSC members will register for the AGM, encourage others to do so, involve your own groups (including PSC local groups) and come along, ready to support the motion from the floor. 

Please let us have your questions and comments. It is an opportunity we should not miss.

Best wishes

Jonathan and Liz

The motion in full: Make media reform a strategic priority in PSC’s Annual Plans

The advancement of the Palestinian cause is being severely obstructed by biased news reporting, disinformation, and the systematic omission of key facts, voices and events from mainstream coverage. The use of inflammatory and dehumanising language across major UK news outlets is fuelling a dangerous culture of ignorance, hostility, and violence – directed not only towards pro-Palestinian protesters, but those fleeing war and famine in Palestine and elsewhere.

While PSC and allied organisations communicate effectively with an existing supporter base – one that actively seeks out independent, pro-Palestinian media – this represents only a fraction of the UK public. Most people are deliberately blinded to the scale of ethnic cleansing and genocide being carried out against Palestinians, and of the active role played by the British Government in enabling it. The media abuse their colossal power, and often endorse hate speech in the name of free speech, destroy politicians and degrade democracy. Their unchecked influence over our government has a direct impact on the geopolitical landscape and our ability to end arms trading or war itself.

Fortunately, several established organisations are already working hard to transform the UK media landscape, including the Media Reform Coalition, the Hacked Off Campaign, the Press Justice Project, Media Revolution, and the Independent Media Association. These determined groups share core objectives with PSC and represent natural allies – including directly lobbying government for change. We therefore propose that PSC’s Annual Plan for 2026 explicitly incorporates a commitment to advancing media reform as a strategic priority (which is in support of all other activities) and that PSC actively collaborates with media-reform allies to develop a shared strategy for amplifying accurate, justice-focused Palestinian narratives and counter disinformation, e.g a coordinated programme of activities aimed at bringing accurate, humanised and urgently needed Palestinian narratives to wider public attention and challenging the disinformation.

The unprecedented public support for Palestinian justice emerging during the ongoing genocide has given PSC and allied organisations a unique opportunity. By becoming more active in the arena of media accountability and reform, PSC can help create a much-needed shift in the UK’s media ecosystem, unlock far broader public understanding, and meaningfully extend the reach and impact of thePalestinian solidarity movement.