Online Civic Futures Forum – Radio Policy, Plurality and the Future of Independent Media
The UK is entering a significant period of review for broadcast radio policy. Ofcom is consulting on its future approach to broadcast licensing. DCMS has […]
Ofcom
Digital Radio Policy – Leaving No One Behind
Decentered Media is publishing a new briefing paper examining the outcomes of the Small-Scale DAB programme and its implications for local and independent broadcasting. This […]
Evaluating the BBC – Systems, Anecdotes, and the Problem of Closed Feedback Loops
Ofcom’s Annual Report on the BBC’s activities presents a picture of steady compliance, careful monitoring, and procedural attention. The tone that Ofcom adopts is measured […]
Beyond the Bulletin – Rethinking Local Radio News for a Regenerative Media Economy
Ofcom’s consultation on local radio news highlights the need to strengthen civic accountability and tackle the rise of news deserts, but its focus on bulletin […]
Unlocking FM & AM in the Digital Radio Era
What does Ofcom’s Media Nations 2025 report reveal about the future of UK radio? Why is a full digital switchover unlikely anytime soon? How do […]
Transmission Critical or Trust Eroded? A Citizen-Led Response to Ofcom’s Vision for Public Service Media
Ofcom’s Transmission Critical: The Future of Public Service Media sets out to assess how the UK’s public service media system must adapt to ensure its […]
High Court Ruling on Police Impartiality – Key Insights and Implications for Media Regulation and Journalism
In a significant decision handed down today by Mr Justice Linden in the High Court, the case of R (Smith) v Chief Constable of Northumbria […]
Reaffirming Social Gain – A Critical Evaluation of Ofcom’s ‘Measuring the Social Gain of Community Radio’ Report
The June 2025 report Measuring the Social Gain of Community Radio, commissioned by Ofcom and prepared by Wavehill, is a welcome and necessary intervention. It […]
Rethinking Harm, Trust, and Responsibility — A Real Conversation on the Manosphere
In a week dominated by debate over Ofcom’s recent Experiences of Engaging with the Manosphere report, it is worth pausing to ask: are we seeing […]
Framing the Manosphere – Why Ofcom’s Report Raises More Questions Than It Answers
As the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom occupies a uniquely powerful position—tasked with overseeing media standards while increasingly expanding its remit into online safety and digital […]
Welcoming Ofcom’s Report on Misinformation – The Role of Community Media in Building Democratic Communications Futures
Ofcom’s latest report, “Co-creating Ways to Navigate and Mitigate Against Mis and Disinformation”, offers a timely and insightful contribution to the ongoing debate about how […]
Potential Reorganisation or Abolition of DCMS and Its Implications
Speculation about the potential abolition or reorganisation of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), as reported by The Sunday Times (May 4, 2025), […]
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? […]
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 […]
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 […]