Linkages between media freedom and governance: a policy making perspective

Abstract

Free media is an integral facet of good governance. It is considered important as conduit of information, feedback mechanism; a tool of accountability; an arena of political discussion. The present study explores the linkages between the media freedom and good governance as measured by established institutions like Freedom House and The World Bank . The study also interviewed the experts in the field to study the gaps left by the quantitative analysis. While there is undeniably robust correlation between the two concepts i.e. there is better chance of finding one where the other is present, we must not jump to naive conclusions of automatic causality. While undoubtedly presence of one augments the other we can t assume the direction of causality. If presence of free media can lead to good governance the vice versa is equally possible. Furthermore, compelling cases (including India) were found where media freedom and good governance did not exist together. It was found that we can t conceptualize the inter linkages between the two in compartmentalized A leading to B , framework. It is not correct to think media freedom and good governance in a compartmentalized way where both are treated as discrete processes. From the policy perspective it was found that media needs an enabling environment to be effectively fulfilling its role in good governance. Institutions of accountability, literacy, reach and secured environment along with absence of concentrated ownership contribute to an enabling environment. Thus, media freedom and governance should be taken as a composite whole and they should be promoted simultaneously to have proper impact. Recognition of this symbiotic relationship will lead to more nuanced understanding between media freedom and good governance.