Let's not forget the printed media. The so-called quality papers have listings for classical, jazz, pop, rock and blues but not folk music. I once found a listing for Martin Simpson under pop. The listings aside, they seldom ever review folk CD's, performances, festivals or discuss performers and dance, and when they do, it is usually the same bunch that cream the awards at the BBC FA.

How can the general public take folk seriously when the media doesn't?

And another thing, the BBC1 link stuff showing dancers; ever seen Morris dancers, Highland dancers and soft/hard Irish as part of these links? (sorry Wales - I'm completely ignorant about your dance tradition). The Beeb could at least represent the indigenous dances of the British Isles on the saints days.