Research in Theme 2 investigated (i) how media institutions (and their regulatory regimes) catalyse and respond to social, cultural and political change ii) the consequences of transnational media flows and audience practices for new forms of identity and community (iii) the impact of technological convergence on market structures and business models.

In relation to (i) We explored the regulatory and policy changes that would be necessary to improve access to high quality information via the Internet and the extent to which ideas about fairness and redistribution could/should feed into regulatory policies on inclusion. In relation to (2) research in eight UK cities with multi-ethnic news viewers, broadcasters and policy makers on their responses to the mediation of the Iraq War in 2003, led to a re-thinking of questions of political legitimacy. We found that: despite a huge increase in transnational news flows, national sources (BBC especially) is the primary source of news for the majority; the BBC World Service is especially significant for particular migrant, mobile and refugee groups, a finding that subsequently contributed to the Treasury awarding £1 million annually to the World Service to provide programmes for UK diasporic groups to promote inclusion. (3) Research on the BBC and its business model found that it struggles to deliver what key stakeholders expect due to its revenue being limited by regulation, the demand for more programming hours due to digital TV, and by the demands of regulators who act on behalf of ‘absent’ consumers. A further study highlighted the discrepancy between a vision of the broadcast producer as a creative individual in pursuit of ‘art for art’s sake’ and the realities of working in a sector where large ‘super-indies’ dominate, and smaller producers/owners become rich by selling up. Research with workers in television, music and magazine journalism revealed that high levels of insecurity, precariousness and exploitation are tolerated to pursue creative work.