Media and governance: It’s time for a rethink, by James Deane

The post 2015 Global Goals have been agreed and for the first time in any such agreement, there is a goal focused on improving how societies in the 21^st century are governed. 

It is a major accomplishment and an acknowledgement that the quality of governance will do as much to shape humanity’s prospects as anything else.  A good argument can be made that unless progress is made in this area, investments in the rest of the goals may well be wasted.  This should be an exciting time for those working to support good governance.  That excitement should extend to those, like myself, who have argued for increased support for a free and plural media and to improved public access to information.  The goals include a specific target designed to ensure “public access to information and to protecting fundamental freedoms , in accordance with national legislation and international agreements”.