<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This article argues for communication for social change theory to be based on a theory of knowledge, a specific understanding of process that feeds into practice, a knowledge of structures, a specific understanding of context and flows of power. It highlights the example of the Right to Information Movement in India as an embodiment of meaningful practice that was in itself a response to the felt needs of people. It argues that the RTI movement provided opportunities to understand Voice as a practice and value through indigenous means, specifically through the mechanism of the <italic>Jan Sunwai</italic> (Public Hearings). It argues that when local people are involved in articulating ‘needs’, there will be scope for the sustainability of the practice of communication and social change and opportunities to theorise from such practice.</p>
</abstract>

This article argues for communication for social change theory to be based on a theory of knowledge, a specific understanding of process that feeds into practice, a knowledge of structures, a specific understanding of context and flows of power. It highlights the example of the Right to Information Movement in India as an embodiment of meaningful practice that was in itself a response to the felt needs of people. It argues that the RTI movement provided opportunities to understand Voice as a practice and value through indigenous means, specifically through the mechanism of the Jan Sunwai (Public Hearings). It argues that when local people are involved in articulating ‘needs’, there will be scope for the sustainability of the practice of communication and social change and opportunities to theorise from such practice.

Communication for Social Change, Making Theory Count

Nordicom Review

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Communication for Social Change, Making Theory Count"}

This article argues for communication for social change theory to be based on a theory of knowledge, a specific understanding of process that feeds into...

Communication for Social Change, Making Theory Count

Published Online: Jul 07, 2020

Page range: 71 - 78

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/nor-2015-0030

Keywords
communication for social change, voice, right to information, public hearings, political economy, development

© 2015 Pradip Ninan Thomas, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Communication for Social Change, Making Theory Count

Published Online: Jul 07, 2020

Page range: 71 - 78

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/nor-2015-0030

Keywordscommunication for social change, voice, right to information, public hearings, political economy, development

© 2015 Pradip Ninan Thomas, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
communication for social change, voice, right to information, public hearings, political economy, development