News, Literacy and Public Policy: Changing Modes and Perceptions of Policy Literacy

SUNIL KUMAR
Centre for Culture, Media & Governance, Jamia Millia Islamia, India

Abstract
This paper seeks to study the changing relationship between news and public policies. It would address the changing modes of reporting along with changes in different strands in public policy, its instruments and actors. Conventional literature in the field provides a broader perspective related to news and public policy. It is claimed that “relationship between news coverage and the evolution of public policy is extremely circular,” especially in regard to “who influences whom”. The journalistic field may presume public policy as function of news, whereas, policymakers may assume otherwise, public policies make news. Finally, the paper argues that impact of media “matter, not just at the beginning but throughout the policy process.” Hence, the study merits attention both at theoretical as well as substantive levels to problematize the relationship in Indian context.

Keywords: Public policy, media governance, new media, literacy, citizen-stakeholders

Sunil Kumar is a former civil servant, who has over three decades of exposure to public policies at the levels of formulation, design, evaluation and execution with State Governments as well as the Government of India. He has also handled information and public relations function for State Governments vis-a-vis regional and national media. He is currently serving as Vice Chairman, Chhattisgarh State Planning Commission.