This petition calls upon the BBC and all media outlets to cease the practice of featuring unelected think tanks that operate without transparency. These organizations often exert significant influence over public opinion and policy without being accountable to the public or subject to democratic oversight.

Why This Matters:

1.     Transparency and Accountability: Unelected think tanks frequently lack transparency about their funding sources, agendas, and methodologies. This opacity prevents the public from fully understanding who is behind the policy recommendations and analyses presented in the media.

2.     Public Trust: The presence of opaque think tanks in media discussions undermines public trust in journalism. Viewers and readers expect media outlets to provide unbiased and well-sourced information. Featuring think tanks with hidden agendas compromises this expectation.

3.     Democratic Principles: Our democratic society relies on open debate and accountability. When unelected and non-transparent organizations shape public discourse and policy, it circumvents the democratic process and diminishes the role of elected representatives and informed citizens.

4.     Balanced Reporting: For media to serve its role effectively, it must strive for balanced reporting. This includes featuring diverse perspectives and ensuring that sources of information are transparent and accountable.

Our Demands:

·       Full Disclosure: Media outlets must require full disclosure of funding sources and affiliations from any think tanks they feature. This information should be made available to the public.

·       Accountability: Only feature think tanks and experts who are accountable to the public, either through democratic processes or clear, transparent operational structures.

·       Diverse Voices: Ensure a diversity of voices and perspectives are represented in media coverage, particularly on important policy issues.

·       Independent Verification: Employ independent verification of the claims and data presented by think tanks to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information.

By signing this petition, we urge the BBC and other media outlets to commit to these principles and practices. Doing so will enhance public trust in media, support democratic processes, and ensure that public discourse is informed by transparent and accountable sources.