Abstract
This chapter looks at the plural policy actors and the diverse narratives of practice that emanate from their action. The chapter starts with unravelling various actor dispositions, delving into the scale as well as the ontology. The chapter then moves on to provide an in-vivo understanding of community broadcasting in Sri Lanka, providing an understanding of the epistemic forms and manifestations it took in the country. Going beyond the idea of the Nepalese state, the chapter sheds light on the diversified policy actors in the Himalayan country. Interconnections between the state, international development, and the market in Sri Lanka are chalked out, next. The chapter moves to look at post-2002 activism and civil society in India, followed by an understanding of the multiple anchors of the Indian government and its many Ministries and agencies involved in the policy process for community radio. The domestic and international realities of Bangladesh are explored next, to the extent that they manifest in the policy space for community radio. The chapter ends with an exploration of the perceptions, performances, and practices of sustaining the community radio policy in Sri Lanka.
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Notes
- 1.
UNESCO’s attention to media environments within countries began in the context of the Belgrade Conference, the MacBride Commission report, and the establishment of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), in 1980.
- 2.
The UNDP Report of the Evaluation Mission (2000) suggests: ‘ABGEP is aimed at reducing poverty by enhancing broad-based economic growth with equity at a decentralized level. This implies creating strong linkages all the way from community based development to regional and national policy making’ (2000: 2).
- 3.
These stakeholders included the SLBC, the UPC, and members of the Knowledge Societies, besides UNESCO.
- 4.
The project-related documents can be found here: http://projects.worldbank.org/P074872/community-development-livelihood-improvement-gemi-diriya-project?lang=en&tab=overview; accessed on August 1, 2017.
- 5.
The Gemi Diriya Foundation, under the ministry governing ecological development, had signed an agreement with Pulathirisi.
- 6.
The vision for a CR Support Fund has seen contestation, with the CRF proposing an independent body in line with international experiences, and presenting a document on the same. However, subsequently, a CR Support Scheme was institutionalised under the aegis of the MIB.
- 7.
I could not interview any office-bearers. More information about the FCRS could be found here: http://www.fcrs.in.
- 8.
This document has not been put out in the public domain.
- 9.
One can say that policymaking is personality-centric when the policy actors in question use their personal charm, persuasive ability, connections, and networks to push for policy shifts, by being privy to information or by using their social connections to further policy agendas and motives.
- 10.
It may be noted here that this understanding of UNESCO’s role comes from the interviewee’s experience of working with the organisation. It does not imply that UNESCO was not involved prior to her joining the organisation. In the early 2000s, UNESCO had facilitated the participation of Bangladesh stakeholders in regional meetings on CR.
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Raghunath, P. (2020). Plural Policy Actors and Narratives of Practice. In: Community Radio Policies in South Asia. Palgrave Studies in Communication for Social Change. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5629-6_5
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