How to Improve Citizen Participation in Policy Process through a TV Program

Abstract

With the development of democracy, citizen participation in policymaking procedures has been gradually promoted and enhanced in both state and local levels. According to the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), the developmental stages of the citizen participation can be categorized into five phases – Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborative, and Empower. The level of influence and involvement of the citizens steadily increase with each phase moving forward, ultimately striving to enter the ideal phase of Empower to achieve effective policies within a true participatory democracy

therefore, it is crucial to analyze and evaluate a countrys current phase in citizen participation to determine its democratic developments and trajectories. In this study, based on the characteristics of each phases as identified by IAP2, the current phase of South Koreas citizen participation is examined as being in the initial stages of the third step Involve. There have been diverse endeavors to achieve participatory democracy, especially during the current administration of President Park Geunhye. While these attempts have made visible outcomes such as the growth of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT), most of the outcomes havebeen geared towards to unilateral administrative actions to promote such success in growth, and not truly considering the achievements (or lack thereof) in participatory contexts. As a comparative study, the following three online tools from the United States were analyzed in their effects in ensuring and enhancing active citizen participation: <We the People>, <Challenge.gov>, and <AmericaSpeaks>. The paper will also go over the limitations of the aforementioned online democratic tools in the U.S., and further propose the potential of speech-formatted television programs as an alternative way to promote the citizen participation in policymaking procedures. Despite the increasing usage of online and mobile platforms, analysis of their communication flow shows prevailing unilateral tendencies. Hence, this study argues that television programs have the popularity, accessibility, and reliability to the public that make up for the shortages of these online tools. To show the potential role of television in citizen participation and policymaking, and how they can elevate participatory democracy in South Korea, <15 Minutes to Change the World>, a program from South Koreas Christian Broadcasting System (CBS) is provided as a case study.