Topic Guide on Communications and Governance

This guide introduces recent literature on the role of communications in governance. It highlights critical debates on the relationship between communications, government accountability, and responsiveness, and state-society relations in developing countries. It is intended primarily as a reference for policymakers, and highlights practical guidance, lessons learned, and case studies on supporting the development of independent and plural media systems, increasing access to information, and using communications tools in governance reform processes across a range of contexts, including fragile and conflict-affected states. As stated in the guide, the authors intend to incorporate new publications and emerging issues on a quarterly basis. The document was produced through collaboration by the Governance and Social Development Resource Centre (GSDRC) with funding from the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the Communication for Governance and Accountability Program (CommGAP) of the World Bank.

Contents include the following:

• The role of communications in governance and development
• Communications for governance reform
• Communication for social change and transformation
• Media development
• Social media
• Access to information - and its constraints
• Communication in fragile and conflict-affected states