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Communication for Governance
and Accountability Program (CommGAP)


Towards a New Model
Media and Communication in Post-Conflict
and Fragile States

By Shanthi Kalathil
With John Langlois and Adam Kaplan




                                        Innovative
                                        Solutions
                                         forGovernance

©2008 The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank
Communication for Governance & Accountability Program (CommGAP)
Development Communication Division, External Affairs
1818 H Street NW, MSN U11-1102
Washington DC 20433
Telephone: 202-458-7955
Fax: 202-522-2654
Internet: www.worldbank.org/commgap
E-mail: commgap@worldbank.org

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This volume is a product of the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World
Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this volume do not necessarily reflect the views
of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent.

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About CommGAP

The Agora was the heart of the ancient Greek city--its main political, civic, religious and commercial center.
Today, the Agora is the space where free and equal citizens discuss, debate, and share information about
public affairs in order to influence the policies that affect the quality of their lives. The democratic public
sphere that the ancient Agora represents is an essential element of good governance and accountability.

The Communication for Governance & Accountability Program (CommGAP) seeks to promote good and
accountable governance through the use of innovative communication approaches and techniques that
strengthen the constitutive elements of the public sphere: engaged citizenries, vibrant civil societies, plural
and independent media systems, and open government institutions. Communication links these elements,
forming a framework for national dialogue through which informed public opinion is shaped about key issues
of public concern. CommGAP posits that sound analysis and understanding of the structural and process
aspects of communication and their interrelationships make critical contributions to governance reform.
CommGAP is funded through a multi-donor trust fund. The founding donor of this trust fund is the UK's
Department for International Development (DFID).













































































































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The media and communication sector plays a complex role in           and oversight, anchor governance reforms, and facilitate
post-conflict and fragile states. In states experiencing conflict,   peacebuilding and poverty reduction. Yet, despite its
violent political upheaval or complete collapse, the media           importance, the media and communication sector is
can provide important, reliable, and timely humanitarian and         frequently an afterthought in post-conflict reconstruction.
political information in the midst of chaos, helping people to       This paper calls for a new model in post-conflict and fragile
navigate their tumultuous surroundings. Moving toward the            states, one that prioritizes communication's role in
longer term, media and communication processes can enable            governance and peacebuilding.
citizens to engage in dialogue, serve as platforms for debate




COMMUNICATION FOR GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM (CommGAP)
Development Communication Division
External Affairs, The World Bank


Website: http://www.worldbank.org/commgap
Blog: http://publicsphere.worldbank.org


e-mail: commgap@worldbank.org