Development Journalism: What Next? : An Agenda for the Press

Contents: Preface. 1. Media and development. 2. Development journalism: a perspective. 3. Development news: an analysis. 4. Development journalism: what next? Bibliography. Index.

"The purpose of development journalism is to educate and inform the citizen about the developmental issues and thereby make him/her participate in the national development. Since majority of the population in the third world countries are illiterate, the newspapers as public educator can take up issues that are of immediate concern to the citizens.

Newspapers have a two-step function: first, newspapers select certain events to attract the attention of the policy-makers and set an agenda for public action; second, newspapers also frame the issues, telling the readers what is important to know.

Instead of a news report, it can be an interpretative report. This shift in journalism in future will make the newspapers relevant to the society to stand as a public institution, which strives for the welfare of the society." (jacket)