Category: All

ion have often been sacrificed in the interests of state stability in fragile states. Such sacrifices often do more harm than good. Efforts to control media and open communication systems are likely to be ineffective and counterproductive in increasingly connected 21st-century communication environments.

Support to free and professional media needs is poorly integrated and reflected in most development assistance strategies to fragile states. Media that enables dialogue across the faultlines that exist in fractured fragile states is a particular priority.

')} Media influences on politics in ‘fragile’ countries

More than 40 states around the world are classed as “fragile” by the OECD. This policy briefing examines the implications of current media trends for fragile states and explores whether these trends are making these states more, or less, fragile. It argues that the role of a free media should be embraced and better prioritised in strategies designed to support such states.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Publication date: October 2013

Overview: The paper focuses especially on fractured, fragile states where religion, politics, ethnicity or other factional fault lines divide society. The central part of the paper focuses on four states: Afghanistan, Iraq, Kenya and Somalia.

Conclusions include:

• Media is increasingly vulnerable to co-option by factional actors in fragile states. The effects of such co-option, and strategies to support genuinely independent media working in the public interest, should be better prioritised in assistance to fragile states.
• Media freedom and freedom of expression have often been sacrificed in the interests of state stability in fragile states. Such sacrifices often do more harm than good. Efforts to control media and open communication systems are likely to be ineffective and counterproductive in increasingly connected 21st-century communication environments.
• Support to free and professional media needs is poorly integrated and reflected in most development assistance strategies to fragile states. Media that enables dialogue across the faultlines that exist in fractured fragile states is a particular priority.

ntability, but strategies that focus only on an oppositional or confrontational role of media in society are insufficient and can miss other key roles the media can play in fostering more effective state-society relationships.

Through our work in Angola, Sierra Leone and Tanzania, we found that working with the media to create trustworthy spaces that brought disparate groups together to discuss, mediate and collectively problem-solve a�� especially at the local levela�� often proved the most constructive mechanism for engaging governments and citizens alike.

The paper thus underscores the need for locally embedded approaches to governance support that are both adaptive and reflective.

Publication date: October 2014

Author: Rebecca Stringer

')} Creating national conversations to bring about change

This policy briefing draws on BBC Media Action’s experience of delivering A National Conversation, a five-year media support project in Angola, Sierra Leone and Tanzania.

Its purpose was to work with a diverse set of media organisations to encourage improved transparency, accountability and participation.

Download PDF

The briefing describes both the successes and challenges confronted by the project and the learnings from it. It argues that the media’s role as a force for accountability – especially in fragile states or emerging democracies – is complex and the most effective strategies tend to be those which are grounded in the cultural and political contexts of the countries concerned.

It also draws on quantitative and qualitative research from A National Conversation in order to shed light on some of the political realities that surround media as an institution that helps to hold those in power to account:

Improving political freedom and openness is an indispensable component for improving transparency and accountability, but strategies that focus only on an oppositional or confrontational role of media in society are insufficient and can miss other key roles the media can play in fostering more effective state-society relationships.

Through our work in Angola, Sierra Leone and Tanzania, we found that working with the media to create trustworthy spaces that brought disparate groups together to discuss, mediate and collectively problem-solve – especially at the local level– often proved the most constructive mechanism for engaging governments and citizens alike.

The paper thus underscores the need for locally embedded approaches to governance support that are both adaptive and reflective.

Publication date: October 2014

Author: Rebecca Stringer

ile states. It concludes that the evidence supporting the effectiveness of media as an accountability actor continues to mount even when the performance of other anti-corruption measures are called into question.

It looks at the increasing pressures facing independent media in fragile states, especially those of political co-option and a reduction in media freedom. It suggests that these pressures are intensifying precisely because media is so effective at holding power to account and exposing corruption.

It argues that independent media need more attention from international development actors not only financially but also through their strategic focus and influence they can bring to bear to supporting media freedom. Without it, such media are likely to struggle to survive and corruption can be expected to increase.

')} Vital for independent media to expose corruption

International focus on tackling corruption is growing but most strategies deployed to curb it appear to be failing. This report examines the evidence of what works and doesn’t. It concludes that a free and independent media remains one of the most effective assets available but that it is increasingly endangered, especially in fragile states.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Publication date: September 2016

Author: James Deane

International concern is mounting about the growth in corruption, its effects for development prospects and whether current anti-corruption efforts are succeeding. A summit on the issue was convened in May 2016 in London by then British Prime Minister, David Cameron, the communique from which committed support to “the role that the media, including investigative journalists, the business community, and civil society can play in complementing and reinforcing corruption reporting systems.”

This policy briefing examines the prospects for media being able to play that role, especially in fragile states. It concludes that the evidence supporting the effectiveness of media as an accountability actor continues to mount even when the performance of other anti-corruption measures are called into question.

It looks at the increasing pressures facing independent media in fragile states, especially those of political co-option and a reduction in media freedom. It suggests that these pressures are intensifying precisely because media is so effective at holding power to account and exposing corruption.

It argues that independent media need more attention from international development actors not only financially but also through their strategic focus and influence they can bring to bear to supporting media freedom. Without it, such media are likely to struggle to survive and corruption can be expected to increase.