Beyond the Catch-All – Why Specificity Matters in Community Reporting
In a media environment saturated with soundbites and shorthand, it has become all too common for journalists and public commentators to lean on the term […]
Community Media
Welcoming Innovation, But Calling for Inclusion – Why Community Media Must Not Be Left Out of Democratic Reform
The Welsh Government’s announcement of the Innovating Democracy Advisory Group is a welcome and necessary step. As democratic systems across the UK face growing challenges—from […]
Why Safeguarding Must Be a Core Value in Media Organisations – Including Community Media
In both large and small organisations, safeguarding is not a secondary concern or a compliance checkbox—it is a core obligation of ethical, inclusive and lawful […]
Substack’s Rise – A Shift Towards Local Connection or a Risk to Inclusion?
Substack has quickly established itself as a noteworthy development in the digital media landscape, offering writers, journalists and commentators a means to communicate directly with […]
Beyond Metrics: Using the UKSPF Survey Tool to Strengthen Community Communications
In the often undervalued but vital work of community communications, evaluation is frequently viewed as a necessary administrative task—something to satisfy funders, rather than support […]
Reporting on Sex and Gender Identity – A Guide for Community Media Reporters
Public debate surrounding sex and gender identity rights is often presented in news reporting as a battle between two equal and opposing forces, pulling on […]
A Civic Future for Community Media and Library Services in Leicester
As Leicester City Council embarks on a public consultation about the future of its Library and Information Services, there is a valuable opportunity to open […]
Soundtrack of Care: Exploring Arts and Heritage in Leicester Through Community Radio
At Soar Sound, we’re learning by doing. With the help of John Coster from the Documentary Media Centre, we’ve been developing a pair of podcast […]
Reconsidering Public Communication – Why Presence and Participation Still Matter
The Soar Sound Easter Roadshow, held in Leicester city centre on Saturday 19 April 2025, offered an understated yet instructive example of how community media […]
A Walk on the Wild Side – Blackpool’s Community Media on YouTube
Stephen Cheatley is a Blackpool-based content creator whose YouTube channel A Walk on the Wild Side offers viewers an immersive stroll through the seaside town’s […]
Rethinking British Cinema – From Soft Power to Civic Empowerment
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee of the House of Commons has published its first report for the 2024–25 session, examining the state of the […]
Who Owns the Airwaves? Consolidation, Convenience, and the Quiet Displacement of Local Radio
A shift is underway in the UK’s radio landscape. It’s not one characterised by headline drama or overt controversy, but by the steady march of […]
Reimagining Devolution Through Regenerative Communication – Why Community Media Matters
A recent discussion paper from Culture Commons offers a compelling account of how the creative, cultural, and heritage sectors are adapting to the shifting terrain […]
Community Media Research is Not a Spectator Sport
Community media is frequently described in terms of its potential to support civic participation, foster local identity, and promote inclusive communication. Yet for those seeking […]
The AMARC Community Radio Charter – A Guiding Light for Community Media
In an age where media engagement is increasingly globalised and fragmented, the principles outlined in the AMARC Community Radio Charter provide a critical framework for […]