Reframing Media Literacy – Participation, Place, and the Foundational Economy
The Lords Select Committee for Communications and Digital has launched a vital inquiry into the state of media literacy in the UK, with a call […]
Policy Discussion
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 […]
What Are We Really Protecting When We Talk About ‘Local’ Media?
In discussions about the future of media in the UK, regulation is often cast as an impediment—something that restricts innovation, interferes with market forces, or […]
Culture is Not an Industry – Reimagining the Role of Community Media in the Foundational Economy
Justin O’Connor’s Culture is Not an Industry arrives at a critical moment. In a period marked by profound institutional fatigue, eroded trust in public and private […]
Who Defines ‘Local’ in Local Media? A Call for Transparency and Authenticity
The Secretary of State and Minister for Media have taken to X (Twitter) to discuss the need for enhanced local media in the UK. At […]
Should Ofcom Be Abolished or Reformed? A Case for Pragmatic Regulation
With the news that the government is abolishing NHS England, do we now need to consider if media and communications regulation also needs similar reform? […]
Reimagining UK Media – Pluralistic and Locally Accountable
The concentration of media ownership in the UK has long been a challenge for democratic participation, local representation, and public accountability. A handful of corporations […]
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Rethinking Media as a Foundational Public Good – Addressing the Policy Gap in UK Media Reform
The UK’s media landscape is at a crossroads. Decentered Media has long argued that the erosion of local media institutions has left a void in […]
Media Regulation – Clarity and Consistency in Language Use
Ofcom plays a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of media and communications in the UK. However, the language it employs in its policy reviews […]
Challenging the ‘Audience’ Concept in UK Media Regulation, Operations, and Development
The term “audience” is central to discussions about media policy, regulation, and industry strategy, yet it is rarely interrogated beyond its functional use. It serves […]
Welcoming the Plan for Neighbourhoods – The Missing Role of Community Media
The UK Government’s today announced its Plan for Neighbourhoods. This plan represents a significant step towards addressing long-standing issues of deprivation, social inequality, and community […]
Community Media – A Security Asset Hiding in Plain Sight
With the growing emphasis on national security and social protection, as outlined by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, it is time for the UK government […]
Ofcom Wants to Limit the frequency of its Communications Affordability Tracker
In February 2025, Ofcom’s Communications Affordability Tracker reported that 23% of UK households struggled to afford communication services in January, maintaining the same level as […]
Lessons from the Irish Media Future Commission
What was the Irish Future of Media Commission concerned with? The Irish Future of Media Commission was primarily concerned with ensuring the long-term sustainability, independence, […]
Renewing Democratic Consent for Public Service Media – Exploring Public Purpose Media
Public Service Media (PSM) is facing significant changes driven by shifts in technology, audience behaviour, and the broader media environment. Traditional models, which once relied […]