Author : Smangaliso Zulu
Date : May 1999
Place : University of Zululand
Department of Communication Science(Honours)
Type of product:Acs 325 Assignment
Lecturer
:Mrs Jones
|
Introduction |
|
Development Journalism |
|
Piecing together the issues and sentiments representing the country's values |
|
Media policy |
|
The Political, Economic, Social and Technological Dispensation of the late 1990's under which development Journalism takes place |
|
Political dispensation |
|
Economic dispensation |
|
Social and Technological dispensation |
|
Conclusion |
|
References |
In the past, South Africa had a weak investigative culture and there had been scarcely any development specialist which is the basis for development Journalism. Thus, there had been no special communication techniques needed to mobilize and educate the disadvantaged communities. This also meant that projects and programs aimed at uplifting the developing communities did not get coverage from the Mass media. But since the 1990's, there has been a new dispensation in South Africa in all sectors of life. As the result, much attention is being paid to development Journalism, hence, development Journalism is taking a new turn. This paper will examine the concept of development Journalism in the South African context with specific regard to the print media and show how development Journalism can help piece together the issues and sentiments representing the country's values. This paper will also look at Media policy as well as the political, social, economic and technological dispensation of the late 1990's under which development Journalism takes place
Briefly defined, development Journalism is that kind of Journalism which
is more concerned with the development of societies undergoing a transition
from underdevelopment, apartheid and colonialism. But before this paper
go on with the concept of development Journalism, the reader need to know
that development Journalism functions under the broad umbrella of Mass
media. Addisson(1993:126) confirms this when he argues that an important
assumption underlying the notion of development Journalism is that the
Mass media has the ability and power to influence the development process
by giving coverage to development ideas, policies, programs, activities
and events. Thus, in this paper we shall use the concept of Mass media
interchangeably with the concept of development Journalism. Development
Journalism entails a process of social auditing and reports on development
projects, assesses them and reflects their value for those whom they are
supposed to serve(Addisson, 1993:2). Development Journalism therefore reports
on programs aimed at uplifting the developing communities, particularly
the historically disadvantaged people.
Using the print media to reach its target audience, in this case the
historically disadvantaged people, development Journalism should reports
on issues which primarily affects the historically disadvantaged people.
DeBeer(1998:98) maintains that news on local taxing, local schools, local
societies, churches and local sports as well as crime are preferred diet
for the local newspaper. Also through the print media, development Journalism
offers educational programs to matriculates not only of historically disadvantaged
communities where there is a serious lack of educational facilities, but
also to all the mantriculants of the country. By so doing, it gives aid
to the growth of literacy. A development Journalist serve as a "watch dog"
of the society through his or her investigative culture. Here the Journalist
informs the public of any mismanagement, corruption and abuse of power
by those who are in power. This is supported by DeBeer(1998:275) when he
argues that it is an important function of the news media to expose wrongs
and corruption in public affairs. The classic example which comes into
my mind is the investigation of South African soccer Association by Journalist,
Thomas Kwenaite in 1996, which resulted in Solomon "stix" Morewa being
arrested for corruption and mismanagement of soccer funds. In 1992, South
Africa was rocked by what was described as the biggest corruption scandal
in the country's history, in which millions, if not billions of rands of
tax payer's money had disappeared via the department of development aid(addisson.1993:211).
Had it been not for development Journalism, such scandal might have not
been exposed. All in all, development Journalism helps in the development
of the historically disadvantaged societies in that it influences public
policy making. It ensures that conflicting views which hinders development
are brought to light. As the result, pros and cons of alternative decisions
become clear. This leads to the formulation of policies which meets the
real needs and justified expectations of historically disadvantaged communities.
Piecing together the issues and sentiments representing the country's values
South Africa is from colonialism, apartheid and underdevelopment. These periods resulted in the breaking of issues and sentiments that represents the country's values. These include language, culture, beliefs and norms.Concerns have been expressed worldwide that local languages have become overshadowed and underutilized by English(DeBeer.1998:458).Thus any development Journalist aiming at piecing together the sentiments and issues representing the country's values should be aware that South Africa is an African country whose realities and problems are African in content and character. This point out that as long as our languages are underutilized and overshadowed by such foreign languages as English, development will always be a dream to South Africa. This also point out that the kind of development Journalism of South Africa should be different from the western development Journalism. Not only development Journalism or Journalist should carry out the burden of piecing together the country's values, people at large should take initiatives of ensuring that sentiments and issues representing the country's values are pieced together. Pye(1963:38) insists that peoples of different cultures, different languages, different political and religious beliefs must come to realize their common interests and the usefulness of working together towards goals. Therefore through uniformity in its messages about languages, traditions, political and economic norms and socio-cultural values, development Journalism can help piece together the issues and sentiments that represents the country's values.
Every profesion,discipline or job requires some form of rules or guidelines for efficiency and accuracy in the execution of its day to day tasks. Development Journalism is not an exception to this general rule. Clearly, for development Journalism which is part and parcel of Mass media, to perform the above discussed functions properly, it requires some form of guidelines or policies. Thus, media policy come into scene. Media policy are rules or words that define conduct required or forbidden of the people who work with media. In DeBeer(1998:448) media policy is defined as a systematic, institutionalized principles, norms and behavior that is designed through legal and regulatory procedures and or perceived through historical understanding to guide formation, distribution and control of the system in both its human and technological dimensions. In the past, South African Mass media has been subjected to a number of policies in the form of legislation passed by the National party government. These legislation made it impossible for the development Journalism to function freely, hence, there was a limited coverage of development programs by Mass media, leading to wrongs, mismanagement and corruption to go unnoticed. Benge(1972:143) argues that if communication of any kind is primarily and immediately intended to benefit the individual's material, cultural or spiritual needs, then it must be unfettered and unrestricted by government's interference or supervision. But in the early 1990's, there has been a reorganization of media policy and ownership. This has enabled the development Journalism to function freely. Closely linked to media policy is the concept of press freedom. Press freedom is the right to report and criticize the government without recriminations or retaliations from that government(Hatchen & Gifffard.1984:105). In South Africa, press freedom is likely to be damaged because of the government's perception of the development Journalism. For example, in 1996, there has been a series of arguments and counter arguments between the African National Congress led government and the press, especially the black press which is more a kind of development Journalism. The tension between the government and the press was clearly shown by the following statement made by President Mandela:"we have to confront the past three years, the matter has become perfectly clear that the bulk(not all) of the Mass media in our country has set itself up as a force opposed to the anc". Thus, this government's perception of the development Journalism denies free expression to any development Journalist because he or she is afraid that his or her activities might "step on the toes of government". As far as press freedom is concerned Addison(1993:132) argues that when the development Journalist engages in news analyses or commentaries, he or she does not hesitate to praise where praise is honestly felt to be deserved and criticize where criticism is believed to be appropriate, and without regard to who is involved. Therefore, for press freedom to be maintained, government should develop a positive perception of development Journalism and perceive the criticism by development Journalism as constructive rather than damaging.
The Political, Economic, Social and Technological Dispensation of the late 1990's under which development Journalism takes place
Development Journalism does not function in a vacuum or in isolation. Development Journalism operates within an environment with economic, social, political and technological factors which influences development Journalism in one way or another. During the old dispensation, the above factors negatively affected development Journalism through the apartheid system of the National party government. Hence, development Journalism did not function effectively in the environment of the old dispensation. Since the 1990's, there has been a new dispensation in South Africa, leading to a new environment where development Journalism could play a prominent role in the country's development programs and projects.
South Africa is still new to democracy. People on the ground, particularly in rural areas need to be taught about the principles of democracy. Decisions or policies made at this level need to be inline within the country's social, economic and technological needs. Development Journalism could play an important role in ascertaining that this is done. DeBeer(1998:456) insists that media institutes equally face the challenge of contributing to political transformation by promoting democratic principles and ideas. Economically, South Africa is not in a stable condition. Research shows that crime is a major cause of economic instability. There is unequal distribution of wealth with rural or historically disadvantaged people getting something close to nothing. Corruption and mismanagement of resources characterizes the new economic dispensation of the 1990's. The media, particularly development Journalism has the responsibility of exposing and addressing corruption, mismanagement, crime and injustice by government, political parties, trade unions and business(DeBeer.1998:455). There are eleven official languages in South Africa. This shows that development and changes that are happening and those that are due to happen, require drastic changes in the cultural and social fabric of society. Mass media, especially development Journalism need to reflect and unify these diverse ethnic and language groups so that developments will run smoothly. Technologically, South Africa is becoming more and more advanced. This poses problems on development programs in the sense that it leads to retrenchment of workers who cannot operate the new machines. This is worse in the historically disadvantaged people where there is a high level of illiteracy, not to mention computer illiteracy. Development Journalism should make the people aware of the technological changes that are sweeping the country so that they could develop or be helped to develop skills necessary to catch up with the technological changes.In wrapping up the whole discussion presented in this paper, it is clear that South Africa need development Journalism since she(South Africa) is in a transitional period and that South Africa cannot afford to reach all the underdeveloped societies without the aid of development Journalism. Media policies should be formulated such that they do not negatively influence development Journalism. Unity among the South Africans is the prerequisite for effective development because through it common perception towards development Journalism can be established. Therefore, development Journalism is very important in South Africa and it should be here to stay.
Addison, G. 1993.The watchdog role of the development Journalism.
South Africa.
Benge, C.R. 1972.Communication and identity. London:
Central press.
DeBeer, A.S.1993.Mass media. Pretoria: Vanschalk.
DeBeer, A.S.1998.Mass media. Pretoria: Vanschalk.
Hatchen, W.A and Giffard, C.A.1994. The press and media.
United states of America: Macmilan.
Pye, L.W. 1972. Communication and political development.PrinceTown:
PrinceTown university press.
