Review of the Relationship Between Local Government and Local Media: Focus on Theory, History and Reforms Towards Improving Local-level Governance of Ghana

Abstract

Both Media and local Government play important roles to affect the lives of citizens. It is noted that a well-formed media system, which teaches and informs its citizens enhances good governance and democracy. This might be the reason why Thomas Jefferson, former president of USA stated in a speech that he would prefer a press without government to a government without a press. There exists some research on the relationship between media and governments but it appears to be lack of interest in exploring the symbiosis between local media and local government.

Meanwhile, literature shows a positive role of local government too: it promotes grassroots participation in governance, democracy and development like media. No wonder the twin has been a public concern in recent times. Hence, this study attempts to review the relationship between the two by exploring the theories of media and local government, history and reforms towards local government and media development in Ghana as well as the contribution of local government and local media to local-level governance. This will help ascertain the merits of the proposal for integrating local media in local governance processes.

Keywords: Municipal/District Assembly, local governments, local media, good governance, information dissemination