Community Media In Coventry

We need more ways of binding communities together.

One way of doing this is through community media.

Community media is community-owned and controlled, and it has a key role in reaching people and communities at risk of exclusion and disadvantage.

Here in Coventry, we have The Hillz FM in Hillfields, a community radio project that tries to re-engage with 13 to 19 year olds who are in not in education, employment or training.

Liverpool has a fascinating community TV project, Tenantspin. 50% of Tenantspin's content was about social housing issues, and 50% content from artists commissions. It was developed and produced by high-rise social housing residents, the majority of whom are over 50, and residents are trained in studio management, production, research and presentation.

In a world that is increasingly complex and global, we need projects like this to empower people to become media producers, not just passive consumers.

As the Community Media Association puts it:

Community-based radio, television and Internet projects work by enabling people to become media producers, to send as well as to receive, and, by working together, to reinforce knowledge, dialogue and cultural expression at neighbourhood and community level. Access to new media and communication technologies is seen as an essential part of public life and a democratic culture.