MACMILLAN Community Radio Policies in South Asia: A Deliberative Policy Ecology Approach (Palgrave Studies in Communication for Social Change)

The book draws on critical media policy studies, to study the principles and performances of policies and policymaking for community radio in four countries of South Asia---Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. It focuses on the processes and practices of deliberation that go into policymaking, across space and time, and the global-local spectrum. It stitches together a critical media policy ethnography, drawing on over a 100 formal interviews and informal conversations with policy actors from South Asia, in a bid to present a deliberative policy analysis of policymaking for community radio in the region.  Drawing on Grounded Theory, the book fleshes out the Deliberative Policy Ecology Approach as an inclusive heuristic to study media policies.  Review “This book is an essential contribution to the field of media and communication studies in general and community media studies in particular. … It is excellent reference material for anyone interested in understanding policy and policymaking beyond the traditional reading of policy documents. This is a valuable addition, and it promises to be useful for students, researchers, advocates and practitioners in comprehending the complex realities of policy and policymaking in a more nuanced way.” (Aniruddha Jena, Asia Pacific Media Educator, April 8, 2021) Review “Drawing from field-based research in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Preeti Raghunath has written an original and nuanced analysis of the multi-faceted “bottom-up” process of media policy-making and contestation that will resonate across many postcolonial societies. Theoretically, the “Deliberative Policy Ecology Approach” taken by the author, moves our analyses of media policy and comparative media politics forward, beyond the Eurocentric normative underpinnings that often confine discussions about the media, democracy and civil society.” (Paula Chakravartty, New York University)   “In this timely, informative and deeply engaging book, Preeti Raghunath unravels the romance of radio for social change. Her repertoire covers everything from history to prevailing practices and from policies to possibilities. This critically acclaimed work follows a down-to-earth approach and reveals an intimate understanding of community radio in South Asia. Well-grounded in media research, the author seems committed to the cause of community access of airwaves for a better tomorrow.” (Vipul Mudgal, Director, Common Cause, and Head, Inclusive Media for Change)  “Community Radio Policies in South Asia offers a fascinating account of the processes and dynamics that have shaped the policy environment of community media in the region. Through its deliberative policy ecology approach, and based on a wealth of ethnographic insights, it explores the roles of actors, venues, norms, narratives and interests, as well as the intersections of the local, national and global. The book manages to unpack the complex layers of policy development in competent and lively fashion and provides a holistic understanding of governance.” (Arne Hintz, Cardiff University, and Co-Director, Data Justice Lab) From the Back Cover The book draws on critical media policy studies, to study the principles and performances of policies and policymaking for community radio in four countries of South Asia---Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. It focuses on the processes and practices of deliberation that go into policymaking, across space and time, and the global-local spectrum. It stitches together a critical media policy ethnography, drawing on over a 100 formal interviews and informal conversations with policy actors from South Asia, in a bid to present a deliberative policy analysis of policymaking for community radio in the region.  Drawing on Grounded Theory, the book fleshes out the Deliberative Policy Ecology Approach as an inclusive heuristic to study media policies.  About the Author