Media & Arts

Underlying Principles:
 

The creative and arts industries is an area where the UK is world-leading, with an unrivalled historical and cultural impact that gives us a unique advantage which should be supported and further developed, rather than neglected or exploited as has been the case in recent years.
 

It is also an area where social mobility can be supported and should be easily achievable, whether for the minority of individuals in highly visible roles, or for the wider pool of talent that supports and enables them.
 

A healthy society has space for the contemplation and self-discovery that artistic expression and consumption can provide, whether that be through leisure or a career, and polices should reflect that.
 

A thriving arts industry should provide inspiration for our youngest generations, as well as entertainment, experimentation, and education. Creative expression should be allowed to thrive based on capability and interest, not on personal contacts and financial independence.
 

Creativity and artistry can take many forms, as many of which should be supported by the Government as is practically possible.
 

Media and journalism have seen formidable change and challenges in recent decades, some of this has led to positive change but much of it has been socially disruptive, and the editorialization of news reporting has become more extreme.  This needs to be repaired, with true accountability needed for unreliable, unethical and deliberately misleading reporting.  Opinions and arguments are of course still protected, but they must be presented as such, not presented as fact.

Policies

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Enhance restrictions, obligations and protections on media and journalism around impartiality, access, presentation, ownership, integrity, truthful representation and fact verification.
 

Protected status for events, venues and theatres of historic and/or cultural significance.
 

Review of grant provision to increase access to arts and culture to the public.
 

Greater exposure of schools and pupils to the creative industry.
      o    A corresponding stronger link between the nation’s youth and routes into arts-based careers and opportunities.
      o    Reduce the gentrification and homogenisation of many forms of culture where those with talent who lack a wealthy background or privileged connections are effectively denied opportunities to progress. 
 

Review of grant provision to increase broader participation in, and training for, culture-based careers.
      o    Students and pupils with great promise or capability should be exposed to as many development opportunities as possible to aid their artistic development.
 

Broader definition of “Arts” to encompass new media, such as computer gaming and social influencers currently, and new forms yet to be developed.
      o    Increase areas where grant funding can be utilised and have an impact.
      o    Support constructive and socially valuable development of emerging spaces, keeping Arts funding relevant and meaningful to younger generations.
      o    Recognise the fantastic creative work being done in non-traditional areas of the arts.
 

Tax break incentives and grants for small music venues.
      o    Revitalise the UK independent music scene, providing additional entertainment options for casual and new music fans, hopefully attracting new audiences and better servicing those that already exist.
      o    Increase the availability of suitable venues and events to encourage and showcase developing musicians.
      o    Increase creative cross-pollination of musicians and bands as they have more opportunity to play alongside more of their peers.