What impact is increasing consolidation in the local and national press sectors having on press plurality, and to what extent is consolidation necessary to secure financial sustainability of the sector?

Background

The Media and Creative Industries directorate wants to probe and develop evidence for considering new funding approaches and business models across its sectors which can better ensure growth, social responsibility and environmental sustainability. As new challenges arise, it needs to develop a strong research evidence base to lead on policy and to support these sectors and their wider impacts.In terms of media, MCI needs to consider how best to support television, radio and the press sectors to adapt to the ever-changing media environment while maintaining a media which acts in the public interest and with social and environmental responsibility. The place of regulation and government intervention should be considered within this context. The UK has a reputation for the provision of a dynamic, strong, independent and safe sector where freedoms of speech and expression are supported. There will be a natural focus on the BBC over the coming years as MCI looks at the sustainability of BBC funding and prepares for the start of the next charter period in 2028.

Next steps

Get in touch with csa@dcms.gov.uk

Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

DCMS areas of research interest GOV UK

Related UKRI funded projects


  • Media ownership, journalism and securing diversity

    Media enterprises are under more severe pressure today than perhaps at any time in their history. National newspapers throughout the western world are shedding jobs, regional newspapers are closing, broadcasters are rein...

    Funded by: AHRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Westminster

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project directly addresses the impact of media consolidation on press plurality and explores potential policy initiatives to reconcile industry consolidation and media pluralism.

  • Plurality and Media Power: new policy approaches to protecting the public interest in the 21st century

    In most mature democracies around the world, preserving media plurality has become a major political and regulatory issue. As powerful media enterprises seek to consolidate in a hostile economic environment, governments ...

    Funded by: AHRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Westminster

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on the challenges of preserving media plurality in the face of media enterprise consolidation and proposes new policy approaches to protect public interest.

  • The Shape of the Media: The Politics of Media Policy in the US and UK

    Media industries and flows play a vital role in private and public life around the world. Newspapers, magazines, television, radio, websites, music and film are valuable spheres of production and consumption, part of the...

    Funded by: AHRC

    Lead research organisation: Goldsmiths University of London

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project discusses media policy and its impact on individual choice and citizenship, but does not directly address the impact of consolidation on press plurality or the sector's financial sustainability.