Development, development journalism and development communication

The media inform people about health, the environment, consumption and poverty. Journalism rests on the right to opinion and expression. The press is called the fourth pillar of democracy.

Development means positive, lasting change in the social, economic and cultural lives of most people, without exploitation or violence. It means tackling illiteracy, population growth, malnutrition, poor health, hunger and pollution.

Development journalism arose after colonial rule ended. Reporting turned from wars and disasters to development work. It tells success stories of people who adopted new technologies and methods.

Development communication (a term coined by Nora Quebral) uses communication systematically to bring positive social change. It is the 'art and science of human communication' for the planned, fair development of a disadvantaged society.

Its features:

• aimed at development and people's happiness;
• informs and educates;
• combines mass media with person-to-person channels;
• based on the audience;
• two-way: it trusts people's ability to find solutions;
• sees motivation as key, and seeks agreement for joint action.

Media for people's progress, through dialogue.