Answer: 

Introduction:

The McBride Commission of UNESCO was established in 1977 to examine the relationship between the mass media and the process of development. The commission aimed to promote a new world information order that would prioritize the needs and interests of developing countries in the global media landscape.

Body:

• Aim and Objectives of the McBride Commission of the UNESCO:
  • To study and make recommendations on issues related to communication and the free flow of information.
  • To assess the role of media in promoting cultural diversity, understanding, and cooperation among nations.
  • The impact of media concentration and ownership on the free flow of information and cultural diversity.
  • To examine the relationship between communication and development and promote the use of communication for development purposes.
• India’s Position on the McBride Commission:
  • India supported the establishment of the McBride Commission and actively participated in its deliberations.
  • India supported the Commission’s recommendations on promoting cultural diversity, understanding, and cooperation among nations through the media.
  • India also supported the Commission’s recommendations on the need for greater access to communication technologies and the use of communication for development purposes.
  • India expressed reservations on some of the Commission’s recommendations related to media ownership and regulation, arguing that these should be left to individual countries to decide.

Conclusion:

The UNESCO’s McBride Commission aimed to tackle media concentration and information imbalance between developed and developing nations. India backed the objective, but voiced concerns over the state control approach. India remains dedicated to promoting media freedom and a fairer global media landscape while seeking a balance between government intervention and market forces.