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, […]
Foundational Media
Foundational Media – Opening a Conversation About the Stories that Hold Everyday Life Together
Given the social and political turmoil reported in our media, one might question if the economic and social model that has held sway for the […]
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 […]
Public Service Media, Foundational Economics, and the Question We Must Ask Before BBC Charter Renewal
This blog explores new research arguing that public service media should be recognised as essential national infrastructure, comparable to transport or healthcare. It highlights how […]
What Should Public Service Media Be For? Rethinking the BBC’s Role in an Age of Change
As the BBC’s Charter Review approaches, a new briefing paper, BBC New to Britain: A Public Interest Case for an English-First Integration Service, calls for […]
When a National Broadcaster Starts to Look Like British Leyland
The BBC’s leadership turmoil signals a deeper, systemic failure. This post compares today’s BBC to British Leyland’s decline: centralised control, weak product discipline, factional culture, […]
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 […]
Revolution Social – Rethinking Media in the Age of Distributed Communication
This post explores how the Revolution Social podcast, hosted by Evan Henshaw-Plath, reveals the transformation of media in the age of social networks and open […]
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 […]
Local Radio News – Ofcom’s Missed Opportunity
Do Ofcom’s proposals on local radio news fall short of what is needed to restore trust, accountability, and civic value? In its response Better Media […]
Is There Sufficient Grounded Sociological Research into Media Use in the UK?
Grounded sociological research into media use in the UK is limited and under-attended. While community radio repeats outdated formats, social media creators like Billy Moore’s […]
What Does ‘Public Value’ Mean in a Commercial Media Landscape?
Radiocentre’s Force for Good report highlights commercial radio’s role in providing trusted news, companionship, and community support, but defining true public value requires more than […]
The Power of Collaboration in Community Media: Reflections from Spotlight on Arts
How can collaborative community media strengthen local connections and cultural life? What benefits do volunteers gain by sharing their skills with grassroots media projects? Why […]
Why Accuracy Must Take Precedence Over Empathy in News Reporting
What happens when empathy overrides accuracy in news reporting? How does withholding facts affect public trust and democratic debate? What lessons can journalists learn from […]
Why Journalists Must Leave the Office and Coffee Shops – The Real Story of Disorder in Britain’s Public Space
Why are journalists overlooking the rise of disorder in Britain’s public spaces? What would change if reporting moved away from press releases and back to […]