Media Development: Government's Role?

What is your thinking on the appropriate role of government in media development: regulation, training, financing, creating public/community media space, policing for transparency, supporting media self-regulation... or staying out of the above? This is a space for discussion.

Here are links to a few blogs that represent opinions from various country settings:
Internet Rights in Ecuador: the possible triumph of activists
http://www.comminit.com/policy-blogs/content/internet-rights-ecuador-possible-triumph-activists

Mungu Fm 88.5MHZ - Second Chapter
http://www.comminit.com/policy-blogs/content/mungu-fm-885mhz-second-chapter

Is anybody out there?
http://www.comminit.com/policy-blogs/content/anybody-out-there-0

Kenyan Parliament Passes Retrogressive Media Bills
http://www.comminit.com/policy-blogs/content/kenyan-parliament-passes-retrogressive-media-bills