IBT lobbies Government, broadcasters and regulators to promote high quality broadcast and online coverage of the developing world, its people and the issues which affect them.

Our lobbying work has produced significant results. Both the BBC and Channel 4 now have remits which place internationalism at the heart of their output.

When the Digital Economy Bill, which included a new remit for Channel 4, was introduced in the House of Lords in 2009, there was no mention of internationalism. As a result of lobbying by IBT the Bill was amended and Channel 4 now has statutory duty to broadcast ‘news and views from around the world.’

When the new BBC Charter was first published in 2006 in draft form, there was also no mention of internationalism. As a result of lobbying by IBT the Charter was amended and one of the BBC’s key purposes now is ´to bring the world to the UK.´

We regularly submit evidence to the BBC Trust, Ofcom, the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, the House of Lords Communications Select Committee and any other inquiries which are relevant to our work. See the submissions page for copies of our submissions.

As a result of recent submissions to the BBC Trust, the BBC has amended the licences for CBBC and BBC3 to place a greater emphasis on internationalism. The licence for BBC2 has also been amended to underline the importance of current affairs in peak time.

For more information about our lobbying activities, please contact our Head of Campaigns Sophie Chalk