The Right to Tell : The Role of Mass Media in Economic Development

World Bank

Washington, DC

关键词: ABUSE;    ACCESS TO INFORMATION;    ADVERTISING;    ADVISORY SERVICES;    BROADCAST;   

DOI  :  10.1596/0-8213-5203-2
RP-ID  :  25070

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

A free press is not a luxury. It is atthe core of equitable development. The media can exposecorruption. They can keep a check on public policy bythrowing a spotlight on government action. They let peoplevoice diverse opinions on governance and reform, and helpbuild public consensus to bring about change. Such mediahelp markets work better. They can facilitate trade,transmitting ideas and innovation across boundaries. Themedia are also important for human development, bringinghealth and education information to remote villages incountries from Uganda to Nicaragua. But as experience hasshown, the independence of the media can be fragile andeasily compromised. It is clear that to support development,media need the right environment-in terms of freedoms,capacities, and checks and balances. The World DevelopmentReport 2002, "Building Institutions for Markets (rep.no. 22825)," devoted a chapter to the role of the mediain development. This volume is an extension of that work. Itdiscusses how media affects development outcomes underdifferent circumstances and presents evidence on what policyenvironment is needed to enable the media to supporteconomic and political markets and to provide a voice forthe disenfranchised. To this end, it draws together theviews of academics as well as perspectives from those on thefront line-journalists themselves.