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 to take community media more seriously. Starmer’s argument that “economic security is national security” highlights the need for resilience and stability across all sectors. Media security must be central to this discussion—not just in terms of countering external threats like disinformation, but also in reinforcing the civic and social infrastructure that underpins a stable, democratic society. Community media is an underutilised but essential resource in this effort.
Community Media as a Decentralised Security Strength
One of the great strengths of community media is its fragmentation. Unlike corporate or state-controlled media, which often rely on centralised narratives and structures, community media operates at the grassroots level, reflecting the concerns, voices, and experiences of diverse local communities. This is not a weakness but a fundamental asset. Just as national security does not rely on a single, monolithic structure, but rather on a network of interdependent institutions, community media contributes to pluralistic public discourse, making the UK’s media landscape more resilient to manipulation, disinformation, and political capture.
Starmer’s emphasis on protecting national interests should extend beyond the traditional realms of military and economic security to include the media environment. A strong, independent media sector—particularly one rooted in local communities—ensures that the public remains informed, engaged, and connected to democratic processes. Community media strengthens the ‘platoons’ of civic engagement at the local level, offering a form of social infrastructure that bolsters resilience against external threats. When citizens trust and participate in their own media spaces, they are less susceptible to disinformation, alienation, and social unrest.
A Civic Firewall Against Disinformation
In an era of rapid digital communication, the spread of misinformation and disinformation has become a critical security concern. Community media provides a trusted, localised counterbalance to misleading narratives that often take root in marginalised communities where mainstream media fails to engage. Research from the Reuters Institute has shown that audiences increasingly distrust large media organisations, instead seeking news from sources they feel reflect their own lived experiences. Community media fills this gap, ensuring that information is relevant, credible, and accountable to local people rather than distant editorial boards or commercial interests.
This approach aligns with Starmer’s argument that economic security provides the foundation for national security. Just as strong economic policy can counter external economic threats, a well-supported community media sector can counter information threats at a local level. By investing in community media, the government can build a media ecosystem that is less vulnerable to manipulation and better equipped to support the democratic process from the ground up.
Investing in the Future of Media Security
To take full advantage of the role community media can play in the UK’s broader security strategy, the government must move beyond tokenistic gestures of support and invest meaningfully in this sector. This means:
- Funding and policy support for local and community-driven media initiatives, recognising their role in enhancing public resilience and civic engagement.
- Stronger media literacy programmes that empower citizens to critically engage with media and recognise disinformation, delivered through community-led initiatives rather than top-down state programmes.
- Regulatory reform that acknowledges the distinctive role of community media, ensuring that policies around media plurality and public interest journalism actively include grassroots voices.
Beyond a ‘Nice-to-Have’
For too long, community media has been seen as a fringe interest—a ‘nice-to-have’ rather than an essential component of the public sphere. This perspective is outdated and dangerous. A thriving democracy requires a robust, diverse, and independent media landscape, one that reflects the full spectrum of civic life. By strengthening community media, the UK government would not only be bolstering national security but also investing in the very social fabric that keeps communities engaged, resilient, and connected.
As policymakers refine their approach to economic and national security, they must not overlook the vital role that decentralised, community-driven media plays in ensuring a safer, more informed, and more cohesive society. The government must act now to support and sustain this vital resource before it is lost to neglect, funding cuts, and the creeping monopolisation of the public discourse by commercial and state actors.
Community media is not just a platform for local storytelling—it is a pillar of national resilience. It’s time for the government to recognise it as such.