BBC Charter Renewal Green Paper – Views Sought
The Government has published a Green Paper setting out initial proposals for the renewal of the BBC’s Royal Charter. This is a significant moment for […]
Articles by Rob Watson
When Orthodoxies Fail – Rebuilding Trust in News
Much of the public discussions about the decline of trust in mainstream news focuses on polarisation, misinformation, or changing audience behaviour. The recent Triggernometry podcast […]
Leicester Community Media Spring Events
I’m excited to share a set of community-focused activities taking place across Leicester in spring 2026 that may be of interest to volunteers and organisations […]
Digital Radio Policy – Leaving No One Behind
Decentered Media is publishing a new briefing paper examining the outcomes of the Small-Scale DAB programme and its implications for local and independent broadcasting. This […]
Decentered Media Podcast – Foundational Media and the Problem of Polarisation
Podcast: Play in new window
https://decentered.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Decentered-Media-Podcast-009-2025-12-29-Mixdown.mp3Podcast: Play in new windowIn this episode of the Decentered Media Podcast, I am joined by Shumaila Jaffery, a journalist and doctoral researcher whose work […]
BBC Ratings Decline – Problems for Strategy or Sign of the Wrong Metric?
This article argues that Christmas TV ratings cannot be used as a definitive measure of the BBC’s success or failure. Reflecting on the contrast between […]
Between Reflection and Renewal – Christmas and New Year Thoughts on Civic Media and the Year Ahead
As the year draws to a close, we want to offer our thanks to everyone who has read, listened, challenged, supported, or quietly reflected alongside […]
Media Reform as Civic Renewal
UK media reform is being shaped by Ofcom’s Review of Broadcast Regulation and the BBC Charter Renewal process. This blog frames reform as civic renewal, […]
BBC Charter Review 2025 – A Green Paper that Invites Serious Public Deliberation
The UK Government’s Green Paper on the BBC’s Charter Review is now published, and it is welcome. Whatever one’s preferred settlement, Charter Renewal is one […]
Public Purpose Media and the Conditions for Social Cohesion
This article examines the findings of Parallel Lives: 25 years on and considers how social cohesion is shaped by psychological, neighbourhood and narrative factors. It […]
Navigating the Grey Zone – Citizen Reporting, Influencers, and the Civic Work of Media
How did the Manchester Piccadilly Gardens brawl highlight the grey zone between citizen reporting and influencer livestreams? What responsibilities around consent and dignity apply when […]
Rebuilding Trust from the Middle – A Public Purpose Media Agenda for the UK
Ian Murray MP’s new role as UK Minister for Media offers a chance to build a public purpose media framework linking science, technology, business, health, […]
Questioning the Climate Narrative – Matthew Colthup on Media Selectivity and Environmental Debate
Podcast: Play in new window
https://decentered.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Decentered-Media-Podcast-008-2025-10-15-Mixdown.mp3Podcast: Play in new windowThis episode of Decentered Media Podcast features Matthew Colthup discussing concerns about selective reporting in UK climate coverage. He questions how […]
Leicester Emergent Arts Radio – A Platform for Metamodern Sound and Experimentation
Radio Lear, Leicester Emergent Arts Radio, is a metamodern sound platform broadcasting on the Leicester and Loughborough multiplexes. Combining AI-generated audio with artist-created soundscapes, it […]
Welcoming a Timely Intervention on Local Media – and Setting the Bar Higher
The Challenges and Opportunities for UK Local Media report offers a vital assessment of declining local journalism and fragmented media policy. Its call for coordination […]