Is the BBC’s turmoil a symptom of deeper design flaws: centralised control, platform chasing, weak local journalism, like British Leyland? What would a UK-first, plural, accountable Foundational Media model change in practice?

Manchester’s Halloween brawl: what are the ethics of filming in public? How do we build consent norms, rapid context, and local verification so fast footage informs—not inflames? Which metrics should matter beyond views?

Social media has outgrown the models of broadcasting and publishing that once defined it. Listening to Revolution Social raises a question: how do we build new civic frameworks for communication based on participation and openness rather than control and ownership?

Can public purpose media rebuild trust in UK communications? Ian Murray MP’s leadership offers a chance to align media policy with science, technology, health, and democracy—supporting independent civic media that fosters dialogue, innovation, and accountability from the middle

Are major broadcasters narrowing the climate debate? In this Decentered Media episode, Matthew Colthup questions whether Ofcom, the BBC and others exclude valid scientific perspectives on energy, renewables and net zero. How open is the media to real scrutiny?

Harkesh from Evington Echo deep in conversation as a community reporter at today’s Saturday Heritage Fair organised by @docmediacentre.bsky.social and taking place at Leicester Adult Education College - a great venue!

This was my view for the day at the Saturday Heritage Fair organised by @docmediacentre.bsky.social. We captures loads of great interviews and will post them out on @soarsound.uk next week 👏🏻

I dug into my storage boxes and brought a selection of radio’s and recording devices to talk about with visitors to the Saturday Heritage Fair organised by @docmediacentre.bsky.social

We had a lot to talk about on our shared table with Sanskar Radio, Evington Echo, @soarsound.uk & @radiolear.uk. Thanks to @docmediacentre.bsky.social for a well run and lively Heritage Fair event today 👌🏻

It’s always good when community reporters capture more and more stories because they just like chatting with interesting people. Thanks to @docmediacentre.bsky.social for a lovely Heritage Fair today 🙏🏻

It was lovely to spend the day chatting with other community media volunteers at the Saturday Heritage Fair organised by @docmediacentre.bsky.social

How do we turn everyday memories into part of our shared heritage? In this week’s Spotlight on Heritage, Tina Barton talks with John Coster and Rob Watson about scrapbooking as a creative way to preserve personal stories. Listen now on Soar Sound Radio.

Final measure up in Hansom Hall .... our 9th FREE heritage event since 2015 hosted at the Leicester Adult Education Centre takes place this weekend on 11th October 10am-3pm .... join us at the Saturday Heritage Fair doc-media-centre.org/2025/09/07/s...

Radio Lear is now live on the Leicester and Loughborough multiplexes, sharing AI-generated and artist-made soundscapes. How might artists reimagine radio as a space for creative transformation? Follow and support through Decentered Media’s Patreon to get involved.

The new Challenges and Opportunities for UK Local Media report calls for joined-up policy and innovation. But does it go far enough on social cohesion, extractive media models, and Foundational Economy renewal? How can we create hybrid, socially rooted systems of communication?

In Leicester on DAB, and online...

How do unpaid carers in Leicester find support for their own well-being? In this week’s Spotlight, we hear from Age UK’s Carers Support Service about activities, advice and recognition for those who care for others. What more could be done?

What role can storytelling play in countering polarisation? Instead of top-down preaching, how can first-hand accounts from communities rebuild trust and civic life? Could participatory reporting offer a stronger foundation for social democracy?

At Labour Conference 2025, culture was framed through the lens of “creative industries.” But where was the space for community arts and civic media that build identity and participation? Could devolution offer a reset that puts the missing middle back at the heart of cultural policy?

What makes independent heritage different from official narratives? In this week’s Spotlight on Heritage podcast, John Coster and Rob Watson discuss the Saturday Heritage Fair in Leicester and why family stories, lived experience, and shared memories matter. Will you be bringing yours?

What draws people to live classical music in Leicester? Nicholas Daniel, Creative Director of the Leicester International Music Festival, shares why this year’s programme matters and why music must be for everyone. Will you be at Hansom Hall in September?

How can communities strengthen themselves without relying on handouts? In Loughborough’s Bell Foundry, residents are turning to gardening, upcycling and creativity to build resilience and pride. What can we learn from their approach to empowerment and self-sufficiency?

How can community media help rebuild trust, sustain dialogue, and fill the gaps left by declining BBC local services? The Leicester Communities Together Festival showed how radio fosters belonging and creativity—but what support is needed for it to thrive across the UK?

How does art help us shift perspective and make sense of difficult experiences? In this episode of Spotlight on Arts, John Coster and Rob Watson talk with Miffy Ryan about live art, collaboration, and creating spaces for shared creativity.

How can festivals like Leicester Communities Together help communities share knowledge, celebrate diversity and build resilience? John Coster hosted lively Spotlight on Leicester discussions with groups and volunteers in Jubilee Square. What role do you think these events play?

How can festivals like Leicester Communities Together help people find support, meet local services and share ideas? Reporting for Soar Sound, Helen Pettman spoke with groups in Jubilee Square about advice, creativity and community. What makes these events valuable in your view?

BBC Radio Leicester admitted it overstated its claim to be “the only station made in Leicester for Leicester.” How should recognition of community radio’s role shape the future of local broadcasting in a city with such diverse voices?

Is Ofcom’s plan for local radio news too limited? Better Media says local means local—news must be produced in the place it serves. Should policy focus on decentralisation, open data and a shared news commons to rebuild trust and civic value?

Are public service communications meeting equality duties? How can Equality Impact Assessments shape media choices, representation, and access? Could community media offer a bottom-up route to inclusion and belonging?

Is UK media research keeping pace with reality? Community radio often repeats old formats, while creators like Billy Moore use YouTube to speak directly to people’s lives. Are we overlooking how media really works in society?

Should news reporting follow gender self-ID or biological sex? The Minneapolis shooting shows how empathy and accuracy collide. Does prioritising one undermine trust in media?

Should the BBC follow court language or apply its own judgement when reporting gender identity in criminal cases? With the Supreme Court affirming sex as biological, and Charter renewal looming, how can trust be maintained without clearer editorial standards?

Statement on Ofcom’s Proposal to Approve BBC Radio 3 Unwind Hi, I've issued this statement about Ofcom's decision today to let the BBC go ahead with Radio 3 Unwind. Radio Lear expresses disappointment at Ofcom’s proposal to approve the BBC’s application to launch Radio 3 Unwind on DAB. While we…

Join the Conversation – Support Decentered Media on Patreon Dear Supporter Each week at Decentered Media, we hold space for thoughtful, purposeful discussion about the role of community media in supporting democratic participation and inclusive communication. Our Thursday 4pm Zoom sessions have…

Join the Community Media Leadership Discussion – Thursdays at 4pm Community media plays a vital role in shaping the conversations that matter, but too often, social policy fails to account for the real needs of people when it comes to communication and media. While market-driven approaches…

Decentered Media Patreon Update Hello Decentered Media Patrons, I hope you’re all doing well. I’m writing with an important update about the next phase of Decentered Media and how your support is shaping our work. Over the past few months, we’ve been refining our purpose and clarifying how we can…

Community Media Leadership Discussion: Developing an Evaluation Toolkit How do we demonstrate the personal, social, and civic transformation that community media enables? How can participatory and developmental media practices be evaluated in ways that reflect their true impact on individuals and…

Community Media Leadership Discussion – Evaluating Impact This week’s Community Media Leadership discussion (Thursday, 4pm UK time via Zoom) will focus on a key challenge: How do we evaluate the impact of community media? For leaders in community-focused communications, the ability to measure and…

Election Discussion – Social Cohesion and Media Policy 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…

Decentered Media Discussion – Policing Language and Symbols Dear Decentered Media Patreons Many thanks for your ongoing support, it is much appreciated. This week, we will continue our exploration into the development of communities of practice. It is essential to clear the ground first, so our…

Diversity of Psychological Types for Community Media Consider a mosaic, each piece distinct yet part of a whole. This is a fitting metaphor for community radio, where each volunteer's unique personality contributes to the overall identity of the broadcast. Imagine how a community radio station…

Draft Ideas for Discussion – Decentered Media Community Media Meet-Up Topics Hi. I'm putting together some possible topics, and possible guests for future Decentered Media meet-ups. If you have any suggestions and ideas, please do message me, and we can chat.  If you use Discord I've set up a…

Weekly Online Drop-In Sessions: Exploring Community Media Dear Decentered Media Subscribers I hope you had a good New Year, and the weather isn't too cold for you. I am pleased to invite you to our series of online drop-in sessions, scheduled each Wednesday from January 24th to April 24th, 2024.…

Decentered Media Update, Saturday 23rd August 2025 Hi I want to say thanks to all the supporters of Decentered Media via Patreon. After taking some time out over the summer, I'm gearing up to be developing more content and conversations we can share and discuss together. Each week I’ll be sharing…

Community Media Discussion – Week Off Evening All I don't know about you, but the weather feels rather grim today! I'm never good with the winter months, with the short days, but adding continual rain as well, making everything damp as well as gloomy, is a bit more depressing.  It's a good job…

Community Media Makers Zoom Drop-In 6-7pm Tuesday 30th November Hi I thought I would get the link for next week's Community Media Zoom Drop-In out early.  Following the conversation Helen, Russell and I had last night about training needs, it seems a good idea to discuss what approaches we can…

Decentered Social Morning  I've just realised that this Thursday is the last of the month, and that I've not organised a social evening this month. I'm going to hold back until the new year, as I'm not confident that the Covid situation is being properly managed, and that we are not out of the…

Community Media Zoom Drop-In 6pm BST Tuesday 19th October Morning This week the Community Media Zoom Drop-In is an open session, so feel free to share the Zoom meeting link and invite colleagues who you think would be interested in chatting about how we can develop more inclusive forms of…

Community Media Drop-In WordPress Overview Hi,  Here's the link to the video of the community media drop-in session on Tuesday. Helen and I looked at using WordPress, and how to plan for posting different types of content to the platform: This is an unlisted link for subscribers. If you have any…

Community Media Zoom Drop-In 6pm BST Tuesday 5th October Hi All In this week’s community media Zoom drop-in session, we’ve been asked to  look at how WordPress works, and how we can plan content for a site that  is used to share text and media. I’m planning to record the session and  to share it…