Abstract
When good governance is the condition for socio-economic development and success of MDGs in developing countries, media activism assumes a lot of significance in a country like India, which has a large population (41.6 percent) suffering on account of multi dimensional poverty index (UNDP Human Development Report 2011: 144). Print and electronic media both, through proliferation of multi-city editions of newspapers and 24 hours national and regional television news channels, have been making important influence on legislation and policy formulation in India. In recent past, India has witnessed a lot of media activism on variety of issues: Ombudsman (Lokpal); anti-corruption movement; sexual harassment of women; environmental degradation; female foeticide; caste related social deprivations; campaigns for food security; and right to information. Sustained media activism would go a long way in strengthening institutional capacity by increasing its coverage of people's participation, transparency, accountability and non-discrimination, especially in public expenditures and procurement in the name of pro-poor programmes for Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) acceleration. The paper looks at how MDGs in terms of their coverage content are reported by the media in India. It analyses media activism that resulted in essential interventions, setting up of a functional regulatory framework, mechanisms to address corruption, and efforts to assess performance. Finally paper explores whether media's activism can be sustained when states weakened by the requirements of policy frameworks of neo-liberalism and more corporate houses are assuming control over Indian media. Two case studies are discussed for substantiating the impact of media activism for strengthening of institutional capacities for MDGs acceleration in India. First: Telecast of weekly television programme of 'Satyamev Jayatey (Triumph of truth)'; and second: Media's coverage of people's movement against corruption and their demand for the setting up of 'Lokpal' (Ombudsman) for the trial of public servants involved in corruption charges. The role of New Media (Social Media) activism through internet sources for MDGs acceleration cannot be underestimated, but they remain beyond the purview of this paper.
Highlights
Media acting as watchdog in any democratic set-up is very essential for inclusive growth and its sustainability
When good governance is the condition for socio-economic development and success of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in developing countries, media activism assumes lot of significance in a country like India which according to UNDP Human Development Report 2011 [1, p.144] has a large population (41.6 percent) suffering on account of multi dimensional poverty index
The paper looks at MDG era issues only, in terms of their coverage content are reported by the media
Summary
Media acting as watchdog in any democratic set-up is very essential for inclusive growth and its sustainability. Of India T.V. channel for coverage of proceedings of Upper House of Indian Parliament), and only a few more national channels telecasted programmes on development and environment. Sustained media activism would go a long way in strengthening institutional capacity by increasing its coverage of people’s participation, transparency, accountability and non-discrimination, especially in public expenditures and procurement in the name of pro-poor programmes. The paper looks at MDG era issues only (as Y2015 onwards, MDGs stand subsumed under Sustainable Development Goals), in terms of their coverage content are reported by the media (national and regional/local media, print and electronic). The paper presents an analytical framework for conceptualizing the relationship between media and the role of government in the context of expanded media activism for strengthening of institutional capacity for good governance and MDGs acceleration. The role of New Media (Social Media) activism through internet sources for MDGs acceleration cannot be underestimated, but they remain beyond the purview of this paper
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