Subject: International Relations

The MacBride Commission, established by UNESCO in 1977, represents a landmark initiative in addressing global communication inequalities and media democratization. The commission's report "Many Voices, One World" (1980) became a cornerstone document for advocating balanced information flow between developed and developing nations.

Key Aims and Objectives of McBride Commission

• Communication Democracy:

• Promoting democratization of communication and ensuring equitable access to information across nations.
• Addressing the North-South information divide and media concentration issues.

• Media Development:

• Supporting the development of independent national media systems.
• Fostering diversity in news sources and reducing dependency on western media outlets.

• Cultural Preservation:

• Protecting cultural identities from media homogenization.
• Encouraging local content creation and indigenous media development.

• Professional Standards:

• Establishing ethical guidelines for journalism and mass communication.
• Promoting responsible reporting and balanced news coverage.

India's Position and Response

• Support for NWICO:

• India actively supported the New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) proposed by the commission.
• Aligned with developing nations' demand for equitable media representation.

• Domestic Implementation:

• Rapid expansion of Doordarshan network from 21 to over 400 transmitters (1981-1985).
• Balanced approach between public service broadcasting and commercialization.

• Media Democratization:

• Emphasis on rural communication and grassroots media development.
• Supporting community radio initiatives and local language programming.

• Technology Integration:

• Adaptation to changing media landscape while maintaining cultural values.
• Strategic commercialization of public broadcasting while maintaining social responsibility.

The MacBride Commission's principles continue to influence modern media discourse, with India maintaining a balanced approach between market liberalization and public service broadcasting. The country's success in expanding its media infrastructure while preserving cultural values demonstrates the practical implementation of the commission's ideals through initiatives like "Digital India" and "Community Radio Support Scheme".