This book provides guidelines, tools, and real world examples to help assess and reform the enabling environment for media development that serves public interest goals. It builds on a growing awareness of the role of media and voice in the promotion of transparent and accountable governance, in the empowerment of people to better exercise their rights and hold leaders to account; and in support of equitable development including improved livelihoods, health, and access to education. The book provides development practitioners with an overview of the key policy and regulatory issues involved in supporting freedom of information and expression and enabling independent public service media. Country examples illustrate how these norms have been institutionalized in various contexts.

Dutchess County was formed in 1683 as one of the original counties of New York, in a bold move by English Colonial Governor Thomas Dongan to cut off New England expansion and confirm control of the Northeast by the Stuart monarchy. Our name honors Maria Beatrice D’Este, the Dutchess (old spelling) of York. Her husband James, the Duke, as proprietor and future King, named everything he controlled for relatives and friends. The sole inhabitants then were the Wappinger Indians.