Dear Decentered Media Patreon Subscribers,
I wanted to bring to your attention a critical yet overlooked issue in the current General Election campaign: the role of media policy in fostering social cohesion. Despite the passing of the Media Act, political debates have largely ignored how media policies affect the representation of diverse groups, dissemination of information, and shaping of public opinion.
A media policy that promotes diversity, pluralism, and quality journalism is essential for enhancing mutual understanding, trust, and civic participation. However, policies that allow concentration, bias, and misinformation can create polarization, distrust, and alienation, ultimately harming social cohesion.
As advocates of community media, we should be particularly concerned about this gap in the election discourse. Community media plays a pivotal role in challenging zero-sum thinking, which views societal interactions as win-lose scenarios, and instead promotes cooperation and mutual benefit. By amplifying diverse voices and fostering inclusive narratives, community media can counteract divisive mindsets and strengthen the social fabric.
This week’s Decentered Media online meet-up will be a chance to discuss the different media policies of the main parties. These policies will have long-term implications for our collective efforts to build a more cohesive and harmonious society.
Thank you for your continued support.
Best regards,
Rob