Broadcasting and Development: Options for the World Bank (World Bank Working Papers)

Broadcasting has an important role to play in developmentA'as a widespread tool of information transfer, as a method to improve governance, as an important economic sector in its own right, and as a potential access to point to new information and communications technology. Sector reform is long over-due, with the state dominating radio broadcasting in three-quarters of the world. Reform can have a significant impact on governance and transparency. It is time for the World Bank to turn its attention to broadcasting, where many lessons of reform apply, and where the unmet need for assistance is great. Potential activities include basic reform of sector ownership, convergence regulation to harmonize regulations covering broadcast and telecommunication infrastructure, support for community radio stations to improve access for the poor, and pilot projects in digital television to assess the potential to widen access to the internet.Charles Kenny is the author of 'Broadcasting and Development: Options for the World Bank (World Bank Working Papers)', published 2003 under ISBN 9780821355619 and ISBN 0821355619.