🔥 BREAKING: Research archive - Live Updates March 2026

What was the role of the debate programme Sema Kenya in the 2013 Kenyan election?

March 2014
This report draws on BBC Media Action research to identify the extent to which the national TV and radio debate programme Sema Kenya (Kenya Speaks), part of BBC Media Action’s governance work in Kenya, supported accountability, peace and inclusion at the time of the 2013 Kenya election.

Media and communication in development - an independent evaluation

September 2013
How do donor organisations, think tanks, practitioners, academics and other stakeholders use research and policy information about the role of media and communication in development? Find out more in this evaluation conducted by the Annenberg School of Communication on behalf of BBC Media Action.

What value does social media add to governance programmes?

September 2013
A study into the role of social media in influencing engagement and civic participation.

How do political debate programmes influence political participation? A case study from Nepal

September 2013
After speaking to 4,000 Nepalis, this study finds that exposure to a political debate programme is significantly associated with an increase in political participation and discussion.

The Somali media environment

July 2011
A research briefing examining the state and role of media in Somali society.

Africa Talks Climate

July 2010
A research briefing about the most extensive research conducted to date on public understanding of climate change in Africa. Fieldwork completed in 2009 convened discussions with over 1000 people and nearly 200 opinion leaders in 10 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.

Can radio drama improve child health and nutrition in Somalia?

April 2015
How Tiraarka Qoyska (Pillars of the Family) - a weekly radio health programme for BBC Somali - improved child health in Somalia.

The media’s role in citizen engagement - evidence from Burma

This briefing draws on draw on qualitative and quantitative data collected in Burma in 2013 across 11 of the country’s 14 states. It explores the current levels of citizen engagement in Burma and the extent to which media might influence this.

Reframing the evidence debates: a view from the media for development sector

July 2014
This working paper explores what evidence the media for development sector uses in practice and highlights what is needed to move its evidence base forward.

Working paper: Climate Asia - our approach

October 2012
This paper outlines the distinctive research approach BBC Media Action took in the largest ever research study into public understanding of climate change in Asia.

Working paper: Conceptualising accountability

October 2012
This briefing introduces BBC Media Action's approach to accountability, with particular focus on empowering individuals to play a role in holding those in power to account.