What makes us different
With over 40 years’ experience supporting independent journalism around the world, we are a leading media development and media freedom organisation. Additionally, we are the world’s largest provider of pro bono legal support for civil society organisations, social enterprises and independent media. Our legacy gives us an unparalleled global reach and vast networks that propel our work to address societal challenges at pace and scale. The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles of independence, integrity and freedom from bias underpin everything we do.
Our unique combination of media, legal and data-led expertise informs the professional services that we provide, empowering key actors to build free, fair and informed societies.
Our media development and media freedom offerings
Independent media face unprecedented challenges. From targeted attacks designed to silence or discredit critical reporting to disrupted business models driven by rapid advances in technology and changes in news consumption, the need to protect a free press has never been greater.
Unlike other organisations, we are both a key media development and media freedom actor. Our work to bolster the resilience of independent media encompasses media development programmes for journalists and newsrooms, alongside collaborating with all those at the forefront of creating an environment that supports a free press. From training journalists to adopt the highest editorial standards and building the resilience and sustainability of news outlets, to working with governments to strengthen media freedom frameworks, our holistic approach is wide-ranging and honed from our legacy of work.
Media Freedom Coalition Secretariat
Since 2022, the Thomson Reuters Foundation has hosted the Secretariat of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), a partnership of over 50 countries from six continents that promotes media freedom at home and abroad. The MFC works alongside…
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Weaponising the Law: Attacks on Media Freedom
This report uniquely draws on the contributions of media freedom experts and the first-hand experiences of our journalism alumni to identify and examine eight key legal threats to the profession.
Read moreLeveraging data intelligence for international development
We use data insights to drive and iterate our programming and products, responding to critical and current issues with the most relevant tools. Additionally, we provide data-driven insights to investors, corporates, media and legal professionals, empowering them to play a positive role within society.
Workforce Disclosure Initiative
The Workforce Disclosure Initiative (WDI) collates voluntarily disclosed data on businesses’ people operations. One of the world’s leading programmes to improve transparency and accountability on workforce issues, WDI provides companies and…
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Index of Pro Bono
The TrustLaw Index of Pro Bono is the only global survey measuring the amount of pro bono practised by law firms across the world. By highlighting features of successful pro bono programmes and providing benchmarks on pro bono participation and related trends, the Index…
Read moreBecome a partner
Do you share our mission and want to contribute to strengthening free, fair and informed societies? We build strategic and long-term relationships with donors and partners of all sizes – from individuals and family trusts, to businesses, foundations and institutions.
