Membership of the CPU is open to newspapers, newspaper groups (some with over a hundred papers) and news agencies, published or active within the Commonwealth.
The current membership of over 700 organisations is drawn from almost all the countries of the Commonwealth; these include the largest national dailies to local language weeklies.
1. TRAINING
- Training courses, in-country or regional, tailored to meet the needs of our members.
- Fellowships including:
- CPUlearning.com is our new on-line training facility which is proving particularly beneficial to members in more remote locations
- The CPU also acts in an advisory capacity to our members who may wish to employ the services of an in-house trainer for their newspapers and to other organisations seeking experts in this field. We hold an extensive database of potential trainers from both the UK and the Commonwealth.
2. PRESS FREEDOM
- The CPU Legal Support Programme was launched in 2003 to provide legal support and expertise from leading UK human rights and media lawyers for journalists or newspapers which have limited legal access to legal assistance.
- Self-regulation programme - the CPU supports the concept of self-regulation of the press and to this end works with individual countries offering support and advice for those wishing to set up a self-regulatory body
- Lobbying on behalf of journalists who have been harassed, intimidated or imprisoned in the course of their work to protect ensure that freedom of expression and human rights are upheld
- Workshops and seminars on media law, ethics, self-regulation and corruption , the electoral process and good governance
- Media monitoring of elections when invited
- Monthly Press Freedom Review - providing a comprehensive update on press freedom issues throughout the Commonwealth
3. NETWORKING
- The CPU Conference, held every two years, is a major vehicle for the review and creation of communications strategies throughout the Commonwealth. Participation gives members a rare opportunity to meet and establish relationships that help to foster a more thorough personal and professional understanding of the problems facing the media around the world. It is the largest media gathering in the Commonwealth.
- The Commonwealth Editors' Forums take place immediately prior to the Biennial Conferences. These intensive but informal three-day forums focus entirely on editorial issues and provide a unique opportunity for editors to talk through issues of individual or mutual concern. They normally attract up to 80 pan-Commonwealth editors.
- The Editors' Symposiums are a relatively new initiative. They are held biennially, immediately prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and the delegates are accredited to CHOGM.
- CPQ - a full colour A4 news magazine for the Commonwealth - is produced four times a year. It keeps our members colleagues and other interested parties up to date with news and views from their across the Commonwealth. It provides a forum for discussion and debate on issues of mutual concern and provides a platform for the best of Commonwealth journalism.
- CPU Update is an electronic newsletter which keeps members updated with developments and new initiatives at the CPU Secretariat and throughout the membership.
- www.cpu.org.uk is now the main conduit for informing both members and the general public of the work that we do. It is updated weekly to ensure that information is relevant and expanded regularly to provide access to our activities and publications.
4. CONSULTANCY
The CPU acts in a consultancy role to members by providing expert advice and professional assistance in all areas of the newspaper industry. It can provide experienced consultants in any field from both the UK and the greater Commonwealth.
This service is also available to non-members for a negotiated fee. Please
contact the Executive Director.
Click here to find out how to join.
