Quality/control: a labelling system for community media

Late last year, Open Spectrum Australia (a kind of 'think tank' for community media) decided to bring together community media groups from both platforms to discuss the issue of media convergence. In order to provide a focus for the day, we came up with a communication rights 'campaign' of our own and asked for feedback. We proposed a labelling scheme for community-based media. The label would be used by online, broadcast and print media groups, assisting audiences and producers to differentiate a community media outlet from public service or private media. Why a label? We wanted to increase the visibility of community media, raise public awareness around information rights and provide an easy navigation system for audiences in the new media environment. We hoped it would unite broadcast and online community media and encourage groups to utilise each others' talents, skills and technologies. [Introduction]