News, Literacy and Public Policy: Changing Modes and Perceptions of Policy Literacy

This paper seeks to study the changing relationship between news and public policies. It would address the changing modes of reporting along with changes in different strands in public policy, its instruments and actors. Conventional literature in the field provides a broader perspective related to news and public policy. It is claimed that "relationship between news coverage and the evolution of public policy is extremely circular," especially in regard to "who influences whom" . The journalistic field may presume public policy as function of news, whereas, policymakers may assume otherwise, public policies make news. Finally, the paper argues that impact of media "matter, not just at the beginning but throughout the policy process." Hence, the study merits attention both at theoretical as well as substantive levels to problematize the relationship in Indian context.