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Missed Connections: Why is there no News about Your Neighbor?
Last modified: 2011-07-15
Abstract
“Connectivity” in the present sense often describes physical telecommunications infrastructure. However, more broadly it can describe how well a population can access news, ideas, and information from other locations. Ideally, citizens in any location may access news and information about their town, other cities in their country, national issues, and the world. Ultimately, this exchange of ideas and information strengthens a democratic society.
However, within any country, one often finds barriers to obtaining information from one city to another or between rural areas and cities. Why is this so and what can be done to improve this situation?
IREX’s Media Sustainability Index assesses the media sector in 80 countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Local panels of media professionals answer a standard questionnaire to assess the strength of their country’s media in five areas, called objectives: professional journalism, plurality of news, business management, free speech, and supporting institutions. The panelists give scores to indicators within each objective and engage in a discussion about each indicator. In addition to a score for each objective, a comprehensive chapter written by a local author describes why the country scored a certain way and provides insights from the panelists about each indicator.
Several of the indicators provoke discussions on the issue of connectivity within a country, and the findings are of value to those seeking to understand the reasons behind imperfect connectivity. These may include exclusive focus on national politics, concentration of advertising in the capital, lack of market research, and/or differing implementation of laws supporting a free media depending on location.
This paper will provide analysis and examples based on the findings of the Media Sustainability Index, how IREX has tackled these issues in its media development projects, and recommendations for the audience to consider for improving connectivity.
However, within any country, one often finds barriers to obtaining information from one city to another or between rural areas and cities. Why is this so and what can be done to improve this situation?
IREX’s Media Sustainability Index assesses the media sector in 80 countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Local panels of media professionals answer a standard questionnaire to assess the strength of their country’s media in five areas, called objectives: professional journalism, plurality of news, business management, free speech, and supporting institutions. The panelists give scores to indicators within each objective and engage in a discussion about each indicator. In addition to a score for each objective, a comprehensive chapter written by a local author describes why the country scored a certain way and provides insights from the panelists about each indicator.
Several of the indicators provoke discussions on the issue of connectivity within a country, and the findings are of value to those seeking to understand the reasons behind imperfect connectivity. These may include exclusive focus on national politics, concentration of advertising in the capital, lack of market research, and/or differing implementation of laws supporting a free media depending on location.
This paper will provide analysis and examples based on the findings of the Media Sustainability Index, how IREX has tackled these issues in its media development projects, and recommendations for the audience to consider for improving connectivity.