I want to share some thoughts on Ofcom’s recent proposals to change the reporting process for Key Commitments for Analogue Community Radio stations. As someone deeply invested in the health and vibrancy of community radio, these changes raise some important questions about the future of our stations. I’ve worked with Better Media to submit a response to Ofcom’s consultation on Key Commitments Reporting for Analogue Community Radio, and these are my observations.
- Erosion of Local Content and Identity: What happens to our local programming if the specific quotas for locally produced content are removed? Could our community radio stations lose their unique local relevance and shift towards more generic content? How might this affect the cultural representation and community identity that community radio helps to foster?
- Undermining Diversity and Marginalised Voices: If deregulation leads to fewer opportunities for marginalised and underrepresented groups, how will these voices find a platform? Will the variety of perspectives and content types that we currently enjoy become less diverse? How can we ensure that niche and minority genres continue to be represented?
- Increased Administrative Burden: Even though the goal is to reduce regulatory burdens, will the need to comply with broader, less defined criteria actually increase administrative tasks for our stations? How will smaller, volunteer-run stations manage these new demands without diverting resources from core activities?
- Threat to Accountability and Standards: What does the shift from specific quotas to broader qualitative assessments mean for accountability? Will this introduce ambiguity that makes it harder for stations to meet Ofcom’s expectations? How might this impact transparency and community trust in our stations?
- Financial Instability and Commercialisation: With the proposed changes, how will stations secure funding if demonstrating social gain becomes more challenging? Will stations be pressured to prioritize commercially viable content over community-specific programming, and what does this mean for the non-profit ethos of community radio?
- Impact on Volunteer Engagement and Training: Without mandated training requirements, will stations still prioritize volunteer development? How might this affect volunteer recruitment and retention, and what impact will this have on the overall operation and integration of stations within their communities?
- Challenges in Demonstrating Social Gain: Moving from quantitative to qualitative metrics for social gain sounds good in theory, but how will stations convincingly demonstrate their impact? Will this complicate funding applications and reduce financial support, thus threatening the sustainability of our community radio stations?
- Legal Character and Cultural Role: If the specific Key Commitments that define community radio are lost, what happens to the legal character and distinctiveness of our stations? How can we maintain the cultural and social roles that community radio plays in providing significant social gain and addressing local needs?
What is the Incentive for Providers and Advocates of Significant Social Gain-Based Community Radio to Undertake Their Work?
As we face Ofcom’s proposed changes to the Key Commitments for Analogue Community Radio stations, we must ask ourselves: what is the incentive for providers and advocates of significant social gain-based community radio to continue their vital work? The UK government has largely abandoned community radio to the market, and trade bodies representing community radio often seem more self-serving than genuinely supportive. Meanwhile, the academic community remains largely silent on the significant social, economic, and cultural harms that are not being addressed here in the UK, and the role that community media might take in addressing them.
There is an urgent need for a root-and-branch evaluation of the purpose of community media in the UK. This evaluation must emphasise social cohesion, community capacity building, devolution, and self-determination. Without such a comprehensive review, the risk is that deregulation will lead to the commercialisation and homogenisation of community radio, stripping away its unique value and its role in fostering vibrant, engaged, and empowered local communities.
Community radio is more than just a broadcasting service; it is a cornerstone of local identity and cultural expression. It provides a platform for diverse voices, supports marginalised groups, and strengthens the fabric of our communities. If these proposals move forward unchecked, we risk losing the very essence of what makes community radio an indispensable part of our media landscape.
A Potential Solution for Maintaining a Strict and Focused Regulatory Regime for Community Radio
In light of the challenges facing community radio under Ofcom’s proposed changes, we must consider potential solutions that uphold the integrity and focus of our regulatory regime. One such solution is to expand and open all available platforms, removing the block on the availability of FM and AM capacity while Ofcom continues the rollout of Small-Scale DAB.
We agree that we are in a post-scarcity media age, where the use of legacy platforms is determined by the preferences of consumers and service providers. These should not be unnecessarily restricted by Ofcom. By increasing capacity and making frequencies available through an on-demand process, we can create a more flexible and responsive regulatory environment.
This approach would allow community radio stations that no longer wish to deliver ‘significant’ social gain to transition to licences with fewer restrictions, such as a C-DSP, a DSP, or an Independent licence (i.e. a commercial licence). This would enable those stations to broadcast in ways that are more appropriate to their concerns and capabilities.
Meanwhile, stations committed to delivering significant social gain would be free to pursue their socially based activities to a higher standard, without the dilution of their mission by stations unable to meet these stringent requirements. This differentiation would ensure that community radio remains a powerful tool for social change and community empowerment, while also accommodating the diverse needs and goals of community-accountable broadcasters.
By embracing this solution, we can maintain a strict and focused regulatory regime that supports the unique value of community radio, fosters social cohesion, and enhances community capacity building, devolution, and self-determination. This way, community radio can continue to thrive and serve its vital role in the UK media landscape.
It’s time to challenge these changes and advocate for a community radio sector that prioritises social gain and public service over commercial interests. We need to ensure that community radio remains a powerful tool for social change and community empowerment in the UK.
Obviously, these are the questions we need to consider carefully. As we move forward, it’s crucial that we think about the broader implications of these changes and what they might mean for the essence of community radio in the UK.
Let’s continue this conversation and ensure that the voices of our communities are heard and valued. I invite you to share your thoughts and join the discussion on how we can protect and strengthen our community radio stations.