Civic Futures Forum – Radio Policy, Plurality and the Future of Independent Media
The UK is entering a significant period of review for broadcast radio policy. Ofcom is consulting on its future approach to broadcast licensing. DCMS has […]
Policy Discussion
A Welcome Review of Radio – Now Broaden the Conversation
The Government’s announcement that it will review the future of radio is timely and necessary. Radio remains one of the most trusted and widely used […]
Shifting Accountability – Our BBC as Civic Infrastructure
From the standpoint of an advocate for a decentralised civic society model rooted in independent, federated organisations, the new Demos report Our BBC (Padania et […]
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 […]
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 […]
Beyond the Bulletin – Rethinking Local Radio News for a Regenerative Media Economy
Ofcom’s consultation on local radio news highlights the need to strengthen civic accountability and tackle the rise of news deserts, but its focus on bulletin […]
Unlocking FM & AM in the Digital Radio Era
What does Ofcom’s Media Nations 2025 report reveal about the future of UK radio? Why is a full digital switchover unlikely anytime soon? How do […]
Free Speech, Extremism and the Role of Community Media – Renewing the Civic Framework for Resilient Public Discourse
The recent findings from the Ipsos UK survey for the Commission for Countering Extremism offer a timely and sobering insight into how people across England […]
Ofcom’s Response to Manosphere Report Concerns – A Failure to Meet Statutory Research Duties
On June 14, 2025, Decentered Media wrote to Ofcom’s Chief Executive, Dame Melanie Dawes, expressing serious concerns about the methodological flaws and lack of impartiality […]
The BBC’s Contradictions Laid Bare – Rhodri Talfan Davies Speaks, but Who’s Listening?
If ever there were a moment that captured the BBC’s current malaise — its existential doubt, public disconnection, and institutional complacency — it came during […]
Reaffirming Social Gain – A Critical Evaluation of Ofcom’s ‘Measuring the Social Gain of Community Radio’ Report
The June 2025 report Measuring the Social Gain of Community Radio, commissioned by Ofcom and prepared by Wavehill, is a welcome and necessary intervention. It […]
Rethinking Harm, Trust, and Responsibility — A Real Conversation on the Manosphere
In a week dominated by debate over Ofcom’s recent Experiences of Engaging with the Manosphere report, it is worth pausing to ask: are we seeing […]
Framing the Manosphere – Why Ofcom’s Report Raises More Questions Than It Answers
As the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom occupies a uniquely powerful position—tasked with overseeing media standards while increasingly expanding its remit into online safety and digital […]
Why Neighbourhood Renewal Needs Media Reform at Its Heart
The publication of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods’ green paper Delivering Neighbourhood Renewal: Proposals for Change marks a timely and ambitious moment for policymakers, local […]
Mutualising the BBC? Only If We Build From the Ground Up
At Decentered Media, we welcome opportunities to rethink how our shared media institutions might evolve. The Media Reform Coalition and Common Wealth’s proposal to mutualise […]