Discusses the significance of rural realities and values in intended effective communication exercises as well as problems in conducting research at the village level. Highlights results of surveys of the impact of the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) programs on two Indian villages. (JMF)

As background information for a discussion of India's communication system and its potential for social change, this paper briefly describes the country's physical characteristics, some of its cultural heritage and demographics, and the development of its education and railways. After a discussion of the folk media (traditional changes) of…