Broadcasting, Voice, and Accountability: A Public Interest Approach to Policy, Law, and Regulation
Participatory development and government accountability depend in
part on the existence of media that provide broad access to
information from varied sources and that equip and encourage people
to raise and debate issues and develop public opinion. Conducive
policies, laws, and regulations are essential for media to develop
that are independent and widely accessible and that enable the
expression of diverse perspectives and sources of information.
"Broadcasting, Voice, and Accountability" presents a
framework to inform analysis of existing policies and support the
development of a vigorous media sector, with a particular emphasis
on broadcasting. It focuses on broadcasting because that is the
medium with the greatest potential to reach and involve society at
large, including the most disadvantaged and illiterate segments of
society in developing countries. Information on good practices in
broadcasting policy is in demand in countries of every
region--particularly in countries that are opening their economies,
democratizing, and decentralizing public service delivery. This
book provides development practitioners with a wide overview of the
key policy and regulatory issues involved in supporting freedom of
information and expression and enabling development of a
pluralistic, independent, and robust broadcasting sector. Policy,
regulation, capacity, and institutional development are important
development levers that shape the ownership, content, and social
impacts of broadcasting systems. The guide shows the importance of
enabling a mix of ownership and uses, commonly classified in terms
of commercial, public service, and community broadcasting, that
serves the public interest. With the guidance of this book,
broadcasting policy and regulation can be tackled as a mainstream
development topic, with important consequences for government
transparency, government accountability, and enabling disadvantaged
constituencies to voice their concerns and press for action. This
book is the World Bank's first publication presenting good
practices from around the world in media and broadcasting policy
and regulation and complements existing work in governance, public
sector reform, and access to information. It is a useful tool for
policymakers, reform managers, development practitioners, and
students alike. "Most books on the state of broadcasting in
the third world tend either to lament the lack of governance,
accountability and competence, or to speak down to their readers.
This book is part of a new generation that acknowledges ability and
a willingness to move forward into the twenty-first century with
integrity and imagination. It is not patronizing, and it is
certainly not boring. It focuses on really useful approaches to
setting up, sustaining, and governing broadcasting systems across
the world. This is an excellent book whose combination of sound
scholarship and intelligent advice will be welcomed by policymakers
and broadcasters alike. It is relevant, interesting, and a jolly
good read." ---Ruth Teer-Tomaselli, UNESCO Chair in
Communication for Southern Africa, Culture, Communication and Media
Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal digitalculturebooks is an
imprint of the University of Michigan Press and the Scholarly
Publishing Office of the University of Michigan Library dedicated
to publishing innovative and accessible work exploring new media
and their impact on society, culture, and scholarly communication.
Visit the website at www.digitalculture.org.
