Why Development Journalism?

Also Importance and significance of Development Journalism

Definitions of Development Journalism:

Background: During the 1960s, in Asia, a group of journalists began to promote the concept of development journalism - in a bid to reach rural areas with information which was relevant, clear and competent; and to steer journalism towards informed discussion of the economic and social problem central to developing countries' situations. The term development journalism was first coined in the 1960s at the Press Foundation of Asia. Filipino journalists Alan Chalkley and Juan Mercado were concerned that news organizations were covering socio-economic developments in a superficial way, with journalists reporting government press releases and quotes but leaving little space for analysis or evaluation of development projects.

The call from Third World countries for a New World Information and Communication Order, which reached its height in 1970s, gave further impetus to the promotion of development journalism. The call for the New Order is the result of serious criticism by the Third World countries of Western conventional journalism, especially international news by wire services, which focus on spot news, negative events while providing little information relevant and helpful to the national development of Third World countries.

To redress this negative news and spot news bias, Third World countries began to promote development journalism, which aimed to report more news concerning the development process. They believed that it is no longer enough to get people informed. To get people involved and act on information has become the goal. Reporting the news becomes a tool, rather than an end in itself. Thus, journalists become organizers, mobilizers and players rather than merely observers. Tired of negativism, journalists opt for activism.

Awareness: Unlike conventional journalism which only aims at reporting the news, development journalism has a mission to fulfill.

Welfare of society Social Justice Social Change Good governance and transparency

Difference between Development Journalism, Development Communication, and Development Support Communication