At Decentered Media, we believe that media should serve communities, not just markets. But to make that a reality, we need a clear, shared language that helps advocacy groups, community media producers, campaigners, regulators, and public sector organisations work together effectively.
Right now, terms like local, citizenship, and audiences are being used in ways that are often contradictory or vague in government policies and regulatory frameworks. This confusion has real consequences—it makes it harder for community media to secure funding, for civic organisations to be heard, and for people to engage meaningfully with the media that represents them.
That’s why we’re developing the Community Media Evaluation Toolkit, starting with open discussions to clarify these definitions and create a more coherent approach to community-focused media policy. Every Thursday at 4pm, we bring together practitioners and advocates to discuss these issues and explore how we can push for a social-needs and social-value approach to media.
If you care about the future of independent, community-led media, we need your support. By becoming a Patreon subscriber, you’ll help sustain this work—funding research, advocacy, and the development of tools that strengthen the role of community media in public life.
👉 Join us on Patreon today and be part of the conversation that shapes the future of community media. Your support helps ensure that media policy is built on clarity, inclusion, and public value, not just commercial interests.
Let’s make sure community voices are not just heard but understood.
Best wishes,
Rob