Communication policies, good governance and development journalism

Abstract

This article tries to problematise the link between communication, governance and development. The critical importance of a free and balanced flow of information to an engaged and active civil society, through an independent media and transparent government, has long been acknowledged. Communication plays a pivotal role in improving governance in developing countries.The article assesses different communication strategies for the implementation of sustainable development. It distinguishes between short-term and long-term objectives in view of the Millennium Development Goals and new challenges such as globalisation, ICTs and liberalisation. In order to assess this is a more applied way, the article briefly outlines a set of media performance indicators, developed by UNESCO, and refers to recent events in Kenya to argue in favour of a communication for development perspective which focuses on the self-development of local communities. The basic assumption is that there are no countries or communities that function completely autonomously, and that are completely self-sufficient, nor are there any nations whose development is exclusively determined by external factors. Every society and community is dependent in one way or another, both in form and in degree.

In Search of Local Knowledge on ICTs in Africa

“…The corpus of research focusing on topdown approaches was complemented by a smaller group that examined bottom-up approaches to e-governance or provided criticism and caution against top-down approaches (Amoretti 2007;Asiedu 2012;Berger 2012;Mudhai 2011;Padania and Silvani 2009;Servaes 2009 Mudhai (2004) posits that online social media sites are not replacing earlier sociopolitical networks but rather enabling ' a multiplicity of actors' to engage in public sphere discussion (2004: 328). Taking the argument one step further, Nyabuga (2008) argues that because internet use is still dominated by the urban and upper economic classes, the net gains accrued from internet use favor those already in power and reinforce the status quo.…”

The importance of participation in development through community radio: a case study of Nkhotakota community radio station in Malawi

“…In the late 1950s and early 1960s, during the early phase of development communication (Servaes 2009), development was defined as 'a fundamental proposition that people in traditional societies should adopt the characteristics of modern societies in order to modernize their social, political and economic institutions' (Foster-Carter 1985: 13). Known as the modernisation paradigm, it dominated intellectual thinking from 1945-1965(Servaes 1995.…”

Government Public Information Disclosure Supporting System : The Implications Of Disruptive Technology For Ministry Of Finance Public Information Services in Indonesia

“…In communication practices, transparency will improve government governance and the flow of information to the public that is becoming increasingly active [31]. Sustainable development will always be in line with the process of changing the broader organizational culture.…”

“…With sustainable development, the Government will always try to change for the better and transparent. Technology can help improve government governance and information flow to the community [31].…”