Respondent

Shlemkevych Теtiana Viktorivna

Theme

Information and communication dimension of Ukraine modern political system

Defence Date

09.10.2020

Annotation

The dissertation provides extrapolation of modernization context on the communication policy of local authorities towards the public with regard to features of partnership between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland, which provides advocacy messages on Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Proper quality of public service, transparency and openness of government, and anti-corruption component of collaboration are considered as important criteria, proving the value of the selected object for comparison and implementation of best practices.

The author considers the formation of communicative process in the context of three models (linear, interactive, and transactional) while taking into account the basic forms of interaction with the public. The first model anticipates means of information and propaganda, the interactive model modifies the direct flow of information with regard to the needs of recipient, and transactional model develops the concept of equal dialogue and maximum interaction. The practical implementation of these principles can be represented in the form of deliberative democracy that implies broad participation of citizens in the political process and contributes to increasing their political awareness and competence.

The author analyzes the basic European requirements of openness and communication dialogue between the government and the public. The European formula of democracy is based on effective communication and efficient local authorities, verified by decentralization and subsidiarity, where every citizen can participate in making decisions that influence his functioning in the society. The following legal acts are considered: the Interinstitutional Declaration on Democracy, Transparency and Subsidiarity, the Lisbon Strategy, the European Code of Good Administrative Behaviour, the Information and Communication Strategy, the Action Plan to Improve Communicating Europe by the Commission, Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate, Code of Good Practice for Civil Participation, Communication Strategy «Communicating Europe in Partnership», Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government.

It is determined that the main problem of communication activities of all levels of government is the lack of consistency in development of communication policy. The problem issues also include lack of coordination in the operation of public relations service of local governments, the ineffective feedback to the audience, and lack of flexibility and efficiency in the process.

It was found that the problem of openness and transparency of government creates the central framework of communicative interaction.

The communication policy is interpreted as being based on the interaction between the authorities and the public and aimed at building trust in the government and support of reformative changes in the country. The main subject of the study, namely «local communication policy», is described as a purposeful activity of local authorities regarding local community which is formed on the principles of transparency and on interaction with the public about political participation in the local process that is based on dialog.

The author used SWOT-analysis to diagnose opportunities and threats, strengths and weaknesses of public dialogue with the municipal authorities in Poland after EU accession. The positive sides include openness of local authorities for cooperation; transparency and effectiveness of cooperation system; negatives aspects are restriction on partnership with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the implementation of public services; inability to deep analysis of the problems and needs of the public; restrictions on funding for the possible subsidizing of NGOs; excessive bureaucracy and control system; cases of unilateral assistance to NGOs with regard to political orientation.

Key words: communication policy, local authorities, the public, access to public information, digital communication, components of reformation of communication policy of local authorities.

Dissertation File

Autosummary File