In recent years, the media landscape in the UK has faced unprecedented change. While the ‘Macro’ level of media – encompassing national broadcasters and large-scale content producers – has flourished under government policy support within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and the ‘Micro’ level has seen rapid expansion through global social media platforms, our ‘Mezzo’ level remains neglected. This middle ground, which includes community-based and independent media, provides vital services for local engagement, representation, and trust-building within communities. Yet, it has largely been left without targeted policy or practical support, struggling to find sustainable footing in a sector dominated by larger players.
The role of mezzo media is irreplaceable. It brings trusted, localised narratives to the forefront, fostering civic engagement and cohesion in a way neither macro broadcasters nor global social media giants can achieve. Despite its importance, mezzo media is rarely acknowledged in the government’s strategies for media and the creative industries. Without specific government coordination or support, these smaller media entities are left to operate in isolation, often burdened with financial and operational hurdles that threaten their sustainability and capacity to serve their communities effectively.
This oversight in policy is especially critical given the evolving relationship between government and civic society. Recently, Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State, emphasised the need for a renewed partnership between the government and civic institutions. Media organisations that align with civil society and social economy initiatives, contributing positively to public services, must be a part of this vision. Supporting these media outlets directly addresses the UK government’s public service ethos by ensuring that citizens have access to reliable, community-driven information in the places where they live.
Currently, the macro and micro levels each have their own challenges. The macro level, supported by government funding and regulatory frameworks, benefits from robust infrastructures. In contrast, the micro level of social media remains a digital frontier, controlled largely by multinational corporations outside UK jurisdiction. With little accountability, this ‘Wild West’ has created a dynamic of unregulated, often untrustworthy information flow that further complicates the media ecosystem.
The mezzo media sector, however, has the potential to establish a stable middle ground: a space that fosters trusted, accountable, and community-oriented media that reflects the values and needs of local communities. This sector needs coordinated policies and sustainable funding mechanisms that are as robust as those granted to macro media. By addressing this, DCMS and Ofcom could foster a balanced media ecosystem in which independent, localised media outlets are equipped to contribute meaningfully to civic life. These media organisations could support democracy at the grassroots level, encouraging active participation and trust within our communities, which is fundamental to the social economy.
To achieve this, we recommend several measures:
- Dedicated Policy Support for Mezzo Media: The DCMS should establish specific policies aimed at strengthening mezzo media infrastructure, similar to those supporting national broadcasters. This should include operational grants, tax incentives, and subsidies that prioritise media entities committed to public service and community engagement.
- Regulatory Frameworks That Encourage Accountability: Ofcom should develop a regulatory framework that supports small and community-based media organisations while ensuring accountability and trust. This would encourage a consistent standard of responsible reporting and public service commitment within local media.
- Investment in Sustainable Media Operations: A national fund could be created to support operational sustainability, allowing these organisations to focus on delivering quality content without the constant struggle for survival. Such funding should be tied to accountability measures that align with the values of civic service, ensuring that government support goes to entities truly committed to community needs.
- Alignment with Public Service Provision and Social Economy: Media organisations that operate in tandem with public service providers and civil society initiatives should be recognised as key stakeholders in government planning. This alignment could facilitate cross-sector partnerships, where media, healthcare, education, and social services reinforce one another.
By creating a supportive ecosystem for the mezzo media sector, the government can help build a trusted and accountable media economy from the middle. For citizens, this means greater access to credible information sources that reflect their local concerns, challenges, and triumphs. In essence, mezzo media represents the media of the people, for the people, with a public service ethos that reinforces our civic bonds.
The time has come for DCMS and Ofcom to recognise the necessity of a vibrant mezzo media sector. In doing so, they can facilitate a sustainable media infrastructure that serves not only the creative industries but also the broader civic and social framework essential for a healthy democracy. With renewed government support, mezzo media can serve as a bulwark against misinformation, a cornerstone for local identity, and a platform for community resilience across the UK.