A new report by Panos London, Making Poverty the Story: Time to Involve the Media in Poverty Reduction, argues that the time has come to recognize and support the potential crucial contribution of the mass media to efforts to reduce poverty in low-income countries. Policy change often follows changes in public opinion; the reach of mass media makes them a vital force in raising public awareness and debate.

Based on findings from six countries in Africa and South Asia, Making poverty the story analyses the serious political, commercial and professional obstacles to stronger media coverage, highlights where the media have played a part in raising debate, and identifies what civil society and other policy actors could do to support more effective reporting.

For more information and courses on Media and Development, check WBI's governance site.

(via Povertynet)