Democratic governance still faces great challenges in many
countries within the Latin American region. Political
institutions remain weak and governments change frequently.
Ecuador is no exception: recently it has undergone a period of
profound constitutional reform, the centrepiece of which is the
country’s twentieth constitution. Along with this new
constitution, president Rafael Correa has introduced new forms
of direct democracy. Democracy and the Media A well balanced
relationship between political society and the media can be
productive when a society is asked to be more participatory
within the democratic process. The media plays a crucial role,
especially when it comes to civil participation in politics and
the accountability of political actors, including government and
parliament. Engaging the media in raising awareness of Ecuador’s
new constitution has proved to be a challenging but rewarding
task for NIMD’s partner in Ecuador, Ágora Democrática (IDEA-
NIMD), which started its work in 2006, the year