The title of this article refers to “securing diversity” but this is not intended to suggest that diversity
is the goal. Diversity is certainly a vital ingredient, but to mistake it for the goal in developing media
policy risks building a weak policy basis. This is apparent in a paper recently issued by the
Convergence Review Committee. Known as the Framing Paper, the paper sets out for consultation a
set of principles to inform the Review‟s work. “Diversity of voices, views and information” is
offered as one of the principles but without any normative underpinnings that might help to explain
the nature of diversity and the role it should play.17 Media regulation – especially because of the
differential treatment of print and broadcasting – has always suffered from weak and negative
rationales for regulation. The result has been a rather grudging acceptance of regulation (usually as
part of a trade-off for spectrum allocations or some other subsidy) with reasonably regular attempts
by the media industry to push back the regulatory front. More so than ever, this push will be seen in
the broadband age, especially because regulatory imbalances are likely to be magnified. So it seems
especially important (and indeed an opportunity) at this time to be able to articulate a strongly
coherent normative case for the role the media should play in the community. With that
understanding one can begin to look at how the media ecosystem might need to be shaped to ensure
the realization of that role.