"In summary, the findings show that more than half of the analysed newspapers do in fact seek to expose potential wrong doings of government and business and as such are important actors in promoting local accountability. Yet, the findings also show that a lot of the reporting is not as extensive, a
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ccurate and thorough as it could be. Some of the reasons for this are given below alongside recommendations as to how independent publishers could in future be supported to fulfil their mandate better." (Introduction)
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"The article explores the case of Radio Ndeke Luka, a UN-backed peace radio in the Central African Republic. It investigates whether government intimidation influences the radio’s public watchdog role and, if so, in what ways and to what extent, and whether and how the support of a European NGO an
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d the UN influence the impact of the intimidation. The conceptual framework for framing these questions is established by applying the media watchdog theory to processes of democratisation and interweaving it with peace-oriented media and Althusserian theory. The empirical data are gained through twelve semi-structured individual telephone interviews with journalists, an editorial delegate, local civil society representatives, a former diplomat and the Central African Minister of Justice. The study shows that government intimidation does not transform Radio Ndeke Luka into a lapdog but significantly reduces its bite. It is argued that protecting journalists from intimidation so that they can best act as watchdogs not only requires long-term efforts to change cultures and systems that breed press violence, but also necessitates new approaches that may lead to faster and smaller scale results." (Abstract)
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"This book highlights the importance of the news media as watchdogs, agenda setters and gatekeepers for the quality of democratic deliberation in the public sphere. At the same time, it theorizes that the capacity of journalists and media systems to fulfill these roles depends on the broader context
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determined by the profession, the market and the state. Media systems' performance often falls far short of the ideals, as succesive case studies from different world regions demonstrate. Finally, the book asks what policy interventions work effectively to close the gap between the democratic promise and perfomance of the news media as an institution. The final chapter, "Policy recommendations", concludes (page 406): "Interventions include reforms directed at strengthening the journalistic profession, notably institutional capacity building, through bodies such as press councils, press freedom advocacy NGOs, and organizations concerned with journalistic training and accreditation. Other important reforms seek to overcome market failures, including developing a regulatory framework for media systems to ensure pluralism of ownership and diversity of contents. Finally, policies also address the role of the state, including deregulation to shift state-run broadcasting to public service broadcasting, overseen by independent broadcasting regulatory bodies, and the protection of constitutional principles of freedom of the press, speech, and expression." (commbox)
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"This book brings together significant scholarly contributions on communication issues by researchers working across the region. It aims to create better understanding of what affects the communication and information flow in smaller nations and how these impact on national development, governance a
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nd the creation of more cohesive societies. The value of such a book lies in the comparison it enables between different regions and countries at different levels of development. The work of the contributing authors provides glimpses of the prevalent issues and perspectives without necessarily providing a definitive picture of this diverse region. The editors hope this book will draw out significant relational possibilities by bringing together scholarly writing on communication issues and highlighting the perspectives of Pacific scholars and media practitioners, thus contributing to the knowledge base in Pacific Media Studies." (Publisher description)
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"SDC regards this brochure as a document for discussion and orientation on the place of the media in international development cooperation. It is seeking to establish a framework in order to stimulate activities within this domain … The existence of a pluralist and autonomous press (written, audio
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visual and new media), carrying on its business within a global framework of respect for freedom, is the most important contribution that the media can make to governance. Every endeavour made in this direction deserves to be sustained by bilateral and multilateral aid. Nevertheless, considerable prudence is called for, as problems relating to media freedom, defamation or free access to public information are extremely difficult to regulate. It is for the local partners, and media professionals in particular, who have the difficult task of achieving consensus. The methodological approach to international aid is therefore very important." (Page 4, page 16)
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"This report analyzes the ways in which civil society and the media contribute to establish more accountable governments in the region. The report is organized around two main sections: section I provides a general overview of the trends and changes that affected the development of Latin American so
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cieties and the media in the past decade. More specifically, it will concentrate on the appearance of two actors that greatly contributed to shape the agenda of accountability in the region: a regional network of civic associations and movements organized around demands for due process and a new form of investigative or watchdog journalism. The section describes both the types of actors involved in a politics of accountability and the main issues they have addressed. Section II concentrates on the workings and achievements of this politics of accountability. It analyzes the methods and strategies employed to make public officials accountable and on some of their accomplishments." (Page 1)
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