Better Media welcomes government focus on local media

Better Media has welcomed the government’s focus on social cohesion and the role local and community media can play in supporting it.

The organisation has written to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in response to the government’s Protecting What Matters policy, which sets out plans to strengthen social cohesion across the United Kingdom.

In its correspondence, Better Media highlighted the policy’s recognition of locally rooted media services as part of a healthy and trusted media landscape.

The group said local and community outlets help support civic dialogue, informed citizenship and shared understanding between different communities.

Better Media is involved as a stakeholder in discussions with DCMS about media policy, public service media and the development of sustainable local communication systems, and said it welcomed the chance to contribute to the government’s emerging Social Cohesion Strategy.

Dr Rob Watson from Better Media said recognising the contribution of local and community media is an important step in addressing challenges such as misinformation, social fragmentation and declining trust in public communication.

“Local and community media services often operate close to the communities they serve. They are able to provide trusted information, create space for dialogue and help people understand issues that affect their everyday lives.”

Better Media added that a plural and diverse media environment, with strong local and community providers alongside national organisations, supports democratic participation and civic engagement.