Communication and Media Governance: Concepts, Issues, and Challenges

The idea of communication and media governance is embedded in the regulatory and policy frameworks which broadly involves the establishment of norms, policies, and standards to ensure that communication and media systems are affordable, accessible, inclusive, open, accountable, fairly competitive, and serve the public interest. While exploring the conceptual and theoretical framework of communication and media governance, this chapter deals with the fast-evolving landscape of communication governance in India. Apart from examining the evolving communication and media governance system in India, the chapter focuses on the historical evolution of communication governance in the country and highlights the key legislative and regulatory milestones. It explains the contradictory social, political and economic pulls and pressures in setting the agenda of communication and media governance and emerging issues and the unique challenges of it. It highlights the constant tension between the state’s role in regulation and the protection of individual rights, particularly in light of recent debates around internet governance and media censorship. The rise of digital media has further complicated the challenges of media governance, with issues such as fake news, disinformation, data privacy, and digital surveillance becoming prominent concerns. The chapter argues that effective communication governance in India requires a radical approach that safeguards democratic and constitutional values while addressing the challenges posed by technological and social changes. The chapter stresses the need for an independent, inclusive, dynamic, and adaptive governance framework that can respond to the rapidly changing communication and media landscape in India. It proposes a multi-stakeholder approach, involving the government, private sector, civil society, and the public, to develop policies that are participatory, open, fair, transparent, and aligned with the democratic ethos of the country.