WIREDGOV

The digital revolution has seen interactive tools like Facebook, YouTube, MySpace and Twitter transform self-expression and communication, helping individuals and communities across Britain share information, explore issues and stimulate change.

Less than half of us, though, are taking part, and it’s far more likely to be disadvantaged people and places missing out on their own slice of cyberspace, and both the chance and the platform to make their voices heard. Now those at the forefront of the phenomena are set to light way for those flailing in the wake of the new media wave, thanks to a new Beacon scheme from UK online centres.

Community and social media – which encompasses community websites, blogs, forums, videos, digital galleries and community radio - brings local people together to generate their own ideas and content, and improve their lives and communities in the process.

The need to boost engagement in new technologies is gathering considerable momentum within government, and is seen as a way to unite isolated communities and involve local people in the control of local issues. Hazel Blears’ Empowerment White Paper last July announced the creation of Digital Mentors to support digital content creation in deprived communities. The UK online centre’s Community Media Beacons will kick-start that work across the 6,000 strong UK online centres network.

The idea of the Community Media Beacon sis to get the centres already leading the way in this area to share their tips and experiences with the rest of the UK online centres network in order to inspire more projects, and eventually get different online communities working together. Centres were invited to apply to become beacons, and ten winners were picked from across the country for their innovation and success in establishing and supporting community media initiatives. They were officially awarded Community Media Beacon status at a special ceremony in London yesterday, hosted by communications regulator Ofcom which is supporting the scheme.

Robin Blake, Head of Media Literacy at Ofcom, said: “The internet is no longer a place where we passively consume information provided by others. New technologies are empowering all of us to produce our own information, talk about the issues that matter to us, gather support and make real changes not just to our own lives but to the lives of those around us. Making sure everybody, everywhere can get expert support in understanding and using those technologies is vital, and UK online centres can play a major role in opening up new media options for more people in more communities. It’s vital we capture and share best practice, and I’m looking forward to seeing the Community Media Beacons light the way for other communities.”

Helen Milner, Managing Director of UK online centres added: “Technology is changing fast, and it’s the job of UK online centres to make sure visitors get to make the most of all of the opportunities it provides. Enthusiasm for community and social media isn’t just coming from government, who want to see citizens empowered at a local level, but from people in centres who want to make have their say in their community. The ten Community Media Beacons will not only share their experiences but design tools for other centres and personally deliver tailored training sessions. They will help to establish replicable models and demonstrate the wider value of this work, and together they will develop a national strategy for the UK online centres network to lead the way on community and social media in the future.”

The ten UK online centre Community Media Beacons are Leeds Central Library, Destinations@Saltburn and Hendon 2000 in the North East, Knowle West Media Centre in Bristol, The Engine Room in Somerset, Dingle Online and Kensington Community Media Centre in the North West, Living Archive in Milton Keynes, BCB in Bradford and Foresight in Grimsby.


For more information please contact Abi Stevens at astevens@ufi.com or on 0778 666 0689

Notes to editors:



. Ofcom has a duty to promote media literacy (Communications Act 2003 Section 11). Ofcom’s support for the Community Beacons is part of Ofcom’s work in this area.

. UK online centres provide millions of people with access to technology and support in using it. They offer free or low cost access to the internet and email, deliver online courses and encourage people to progress onto further learning. For more information please visit www.ukonlinecentres.com 

. UK online centres are managed by Ufi, the organisation also behind learndirect.