Factual Debate and Discussion Programmes and their Influence on Political Participation, Political Knowledge and Political Efficacy

From the Executive Summary: "This research briefing focuses on the role of factual debate and discussion programming, defined for the purposes of this review as 'dialogic format' - on political participation, knowledge and efficacy. The paper first establishes the programmatic elements [of]...  debate and discussion programmes as forms of mediated public deliberation....”

The paper discusses political participation, including a broad spectrum of behaviours ranging interpersonal discussion and following political affairs via the media (these behaviours are called latent or discursive forms in the study) through to voting, petitioning, or protest (these behaviours are called goal-oriented, manifest forms). It then considers the evidence base for the impact of media on political participation and other outcomes, with a focus on dialogic formats with potential for participatory forms of "mediated" deliberation. As stated here, where dialogic formats have been addressed, talk radio and political campaign debates are the focus of the research.

"The review found that there is evidence that exposure to dialogic formats can have an impact on political participation.… Studies show that exposure to dialogic formats can increase both the effectiveness and intensity of interpersonal discussion, which in turn is found to be associated with more goal-oriented forms of participation such as intention to vote and participation in public forums. Likewise, knowledge is strongly associated with both manifest and political forms of participation, and so has the potential to play a mediating role in the relationship between exposure and increased participation. The literature highlights, however, that while a positive relationship between programme exposure and learning exists, inaccurate information presented in broadcasts can actually amount to a decrease in knowledge.

...This paper presents data from Nepal, where the political debate programme Sajha Sawal (Common Questions) has been broadcasting nationally on radio and television for more than five years. The analysis provides evidence that exposure to a debate programme on the radio is positively associated with levels of both latent and manifest political participation, even when controlling for demographic factors and other personal characteristics...."

In November 2007, the BBC World Service Trust (WST) launched the radio discussion programme (expanded to television) Sajha Sawal in an effort to support the peace process and good governance in Nepal. Developed in cooperation with BBC Nepali, Sajha Sawal seeks to spark dialogue between those in power and members of populations that have traditionally been excluded, including women and those living in rural communities. The 45-minute show, broadcast on the BBC Nepali Service and its network of FM partner stations, explores key issues affecting people's lives with a specially invited audience question political leaders and decisionmakers. An endline evaluation from April 2012 showed positive statistical significance in the association between exposure to Sajha Sawal on the radio and increase in political participation and discursive participation. People listening to the programme were more likely to participate in, for example, a rally or a petition drive and were more likely to discuss politics with others. The research found that political discussion with others was the strongest predictor of political participation. Further findings include:

• Literacy of programme viewers was statistically significantly associated with viewer political (manifest) participation but not with discursive participation.
• Participants' levels of political knowledge did not always have a significant effect on participation.
• The combined effects of radio listening and TV viewing did not result in higher participation than one form of exposure.

The paper concludes with considerations for programme design and future impact evaluation research. It points out that understanding the scope of participation prior to designing a programme is important and should include informal ways of participating, such as contacting media or engaging in local level discussion, as well as mobilising citizens to more effectively engage with more formal democratic processes. Because studies show a strong association between latent participation such as political discussion and knowledge with active participation such as voting or contacting officials, when programmes encourage holding leaders to account through dialogue, there could also be strengthened links to interpersonal discussion and political efficacy. Accuracy of information and a high quality of discussion in this kind of programming are essential.