This week’s recording was shaped by the steady rain outside and the slow process of returning to everyday routines after two weeks in Japan. The [...]

As I recorded today’s Distraction Therapy podcast, I found myself once again at Leicester Cathedral, shaded from the intense summer heat, contemplating the disorientation and [...]

It’s a warm, blustery Monday afternoon in Leicester, and I’m sitting in the cathedral gardens with a notebook and a recorder. After some time away [...]

This is a test upload for the new home for the Distraction Therapy podcast.

Podcast Test

In this podcast, I discuss the idea of community media and the need for practical governance as a way of building trust with listeners, readers and participants in different types of community media project. If community media is to provide an effective alternative to mainstream forms of media, we need to explore in more detail the importance of effective governance in community media projects, like newspapers and radio stations. I emphasise the need for transparency, ethical practices, and community engagement to ensure accountability and responsiveness to community needs. I also outline the reasons for good governance in community media, such as democratic participation, transparency, information dissemination, and financial management. The aim of this conversation is to raise issues about how we can gather and share different insights into good governance practices and the challenges in implementing these practices. Additionally, I ask, what are the best strategies for improving governance skills in community media are discussed, highlighting the role of training and capacity building.

At the November Saturday Heritage Fair, Dimple Patel from Luminous Productions shared her experience creating the Leicester Sound Postcards. Using sounds and testimony, Parveenben’s Shop is the “story of one woman’s love for the craft of sewing, and the empowerment this skill brought her and her mother.” Dimple explained how telling these stories of businesses that went from tiny living rooms in terraced houses, into a thriving South Asian clothing business in Highfields, is an inspiring account of people’s experience arriving and becoming part of the communities of Leicester.

In community media, the concept of co-production is not just a method, it’s a transformative approach that reshapes how we think about and engage in media creation. In this latest episode of the Decentered Media Podcast, I discuss the fascinating topic of Community Media Co-Production Principles, offering insights and perspectives that are essential for anyone interested in the field.

At its heart, co-production in community media is about collaborative media creation. It’s where community members, media professionals, and stakeholders come together to produce content that is reflective, inclusive, and representative of the community’s diverse voices. This process is not dominated by any single entity, but is a shared endeavour that values each participant’s contribution equally.

Key Principles of Co-Production:

* Inclusivity and Diversity: Co-production thrives on the diverse perspectives and experiences of its participants. It actively seeks to include voices that are often marginalized or overlooked in mainstream media.

* Equal Partnership: This principle is about valuing each contributor’s input equally, regardless of their background or expertise. It’s a move away from hierarchical structures towards a more democratic and participatory approach.

* Transparency and Openness: Effective co-production requires clear communication and an openness to ideas and feedback from all participants. This transparency builds trust and fosters a productive collaborative environment.

* Mutual Respect and Learning: Recognizing and respecting the different skills and knowledge each person brings is crucial. Co-production is as much about creating media content as it is about learning from each other.

* Community Empowerment: By engaging in co-production, communities gain not just a platform for expression but also skills, confidence, and empowerment.

* Challenges and Solutions:

The podcast doesn’t shy away from discussing the challenges inherent in co-production, such as resource limitations, differing expectations, and power dynamics. It also explores practical solutions to these challenges, emphasizing the importance of sustained effort and commitment to the co-production principles.

When effectively implemented, co-production in community media can have a profound impact. It not only produces media that is truly by and for the community but also strengthens community bonds, enhances civic engagement, and fosters a more inclusive public discourse.

In this episode, I outline some thoughts about the Media Bill and the danger that it will lead to a homogenisation and centralisation of radio, that will eliminate any remaining local radio stations. I argue that there should be complete separation of content provision between DAB and AM and FM, so that simulcasting is no longer allowed, and the market is opened up so that local independent and community providers can establish services on FM and AM.

I also cover the consultation on the future of analogue community radio, and note that social gain is the primary concern for community media, and that commercial alternatives will come available if the deregulation proposed in the Media Bill comes into force.

You can join in the conversation at our fortnightly meet-up, by supporting Decentered Media for as little as £3 per month via Patreon.

In this episode of the Decentered Media podcast, the focus is on social needs communication, and the way that community engagement using DIY forms of media can enhance and support developmental outcomes. The discussion focuses on the role of collaborative community media, and the way it can be used to support people who are bound by location, common interests, identity or civic needs. Key themes include active participation, shared goals, and the positive impacts of open dialogue. The discussion highlights how collective action can lead to improved community health and trust, fostering better solutions for local challenges. Join me to explore community-centric communication and its role in shaping a supportive local service ecology.