Media and aid campaigns
Converting policy research into policy decisions: the role of communication and the media
Improving the policy impact of food security research
Authors:
K. von Grebmer
Publisher:
International Food Policy Research Institute , 2005
Policymaking for poverty reduction and food security in many developing countries is rather ad hoc and does not fully use research-based information. Why is this? Exploring the linkages between the food policy research community and decisionmakers, this document offers advice on how the communication of research results can be strengthened.
The report identifies eight steps to the policymaking process:
- developing the policy agenda
- identifying the specific objectives and policy options
- evaluating the options
- advancing recommendations
- building a consensus
- legislation
- implementation
- policy evaluation and impact assessment.
It finds that research results that feed into the process during stages 1-4 are likely to have the best chance of finding their way into the latter stages. Most policymakers will not read complex and lengthy research reports, and as a result it is important to simplify the messages and clearly present the issues and findings. Research results that are easy to understand and offer immediate help in pending policy decisions will interest policymakers the most. Research can influence the policy process if the information presented to the policymaker:
- gives him or her a good understanding of the magnitude and dynamic of the problem at stake
- explains the causes of the problem
- recognises the political context, outlines the basic actions that can be taken, and indicates the outcome.
Furthermore, the media is a critical avenue for conveying research results to policymakers. Once the media take up an issue, the likelihood that policymakers will become interested in it increases dramatically. Messages should present research results in a new and interesting way, and be marketed and placed in media-friendly context. The more the media report about an issue, the higher it will climb on the political agenda, and the higher it is on the political agenda the greater will be the impact achieved by research.
