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    121291116 Caribbean Studies Mass Media Caribbean Development

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    33 views8 pages

    Caribbean Studies Mass Media Caribbean Development

    Uploaded by

    pros_868
    N,

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    of 8
    ‘MASS MEDIA TIN CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT ae DEVELOPING 4 REGIONAL IDENTITY ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MASS MEDIA Mass media maybe defined as “those institutions which use the increasingly sophistleated technological developments of industelalis for ‘the communication of idea, for the purpose of information, entertainment and persuasion 1 large scale audiences" (Westerman 1990), ‘According to Beddoe etal mass medi is the term used to describe all those methods of communication which have been developed to reach ‘ast audiences ~ electronic (radio, television, films, interne computer) or print (newspaper, magazines, books, journals, periodicals, ‘anphlets, posters et.) they can be used to inform, entertain, persuade and manipulate. They bave become an integral part of our deiy life and ‘can affect our educationel, political and moral outooks: they influence usin the say we think, what we bay, how we Bebave- in other wor they area part of our socal experience, (Umraw and Ramsawak, 2001) state thet due to freedom of expression enshrined inthe constitution of Caribbean territories there is a vibrant and effective mass media which fanetions as agents of information news, weather, disastor ‘warnings, advertisements), education (documentaries, entertainment (flim, song cartoons) influence (shaping out values, attitudes and bbchaviours) (Grayson & Sandy, 2000). ‘Due to is integral part in daily life mass medis has become a strategic agent of socialization and soclal control. They serve as sources of information and idea for large numberof people consuming thie products. They provide us with much indirect experience of events and processes happening Beyond our soclal experience. therefore plays an important part in defining reality and in encouraging & common ‘mage of society among its members. The media ensures an unrestricted public airing of differences of opinion on kswes of public Interest and concern (a fandamental prerequisite for @ heathy democracy), Finally the media acts as a neutral autonomous servant of the public, not only in ising issues, acting as watch dogs ofthe highest and lowest and guardians of the public interest against violation of generally accepted ‘standards and patterns of betaviour or abuse of power (greter social awareness/conscience) ‘The mass media has provided Information of institutions, events and trends, Information abont institutions locally, regionally or internationally: journalist investigate loce! institutions such as the church, school healthcare, justice system in order to provide information to the public en their operations. At the regional level meny journalist have written extensively on CARICOM and its various institutions such as CSME and CC inorder to educate the publi on is importance to regional integration et. At the international, much has been writen about WTO, IME, United Nations and its affiliations in relation to their impact on 126 third world countries and especially the Caribbean, In addition much has been done to educate the region on the operations of WTO, IMF, JADB, and WHO ete through articles, feature films and documentaries. “Media has also covered lol, regional and international events, even if they do employ some degree of sensationalism to attract ‘readership and lsenerohp, vents such as crime, general election, Prime Ministers’ speeches, budget debates, pollution are brought othe Public attention. On repionl level events such as Heads of Government conferences, sporting evens, natural disaters{huricane flooding, ‘oleani eruption and at intematonal level evens such as Iraq Wer, loraciPalstine conflict, 9/11 atack, SARs outbreak, Oympics, carthquakes, sunamis ete ‘The mass media also take an interest in reporting on trends as they se i: rising crime rat in Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, ‘Kidegpping in Trinidad and Guyana, trade liberalization trends on the international scene, AIDS, ete Local entertaiament take center tage in ‘media within the region: sporting evens, concerts and festivals (carnival and crop over and Caribbean song festival) are given priority. Due to ‘utelite technology interational entertainment is beamed into most homes in the region: Olympics, World Games, World Cup Football and ‘World Cap Cricket, NBA, Miss World, Miss Universe, Grammy, Oscar etc. It therefore gives considerable airtime and space tothe history and celture ofthe people ofthe region, showease cultural events & festivals NEWSPAPER Oldest means of mass communication, fundamental rights isto present news without slanting, distorting or suppressing and o express forthright views on any matter irespestve of personalities involved. These objectives shouldbe to ensure feedom of the press ensure freedom ‘publish news as tre statment, ensure high standard of journalism and to advise government on matters relating to regulation and control of sewspaper RADIO (One ofthe important modem inventions ~ sends information via electrical waves, It isan effective means of controling and moulding public opinion (be it seling provinct or ooking votes). It broadens our knowledge and understanding of people ll over the world, t entertains: songs, seria stories, TELEVISION Television communicates information, pictues by converting light rays into eleeticel waves. With television man can watch events ‘akg place in distant locations the moment hey occur (Olympis, war et.) It exerts a powerful influence on habits, attitudes economics and ‘education due to twofold process (awitory and visual). The television teaches which produets are acceptable and which bring happiness, 127 presents images of what police and criminals are like, teaches how rch live and what 3 happy family looks like, shapes our lives, teaches our people supposedly how to live, talk, behave and dress and makes products appear necessary and desirable. MEDIA AND CHANGING SOCIAL ROLES + Porttays changing role of family members: more equalitarian family where more sharing and cooperation occurs Talk shows, articles about women and their changing oles and rights ‘+ More consciousness on gender equality ‘+ TV /oomputer becoming agent of socialization ‘© Early exposure of children to ‘facts of life? and more awareness ofthe rights of the child ‘+ Less interaction with peers as TV/computer keeps children occupi ‘© Grester social awarenessiconscience; social issues in media soliciting help (disaster, medical assistance et.) + Used informal education Used in bringing religion to people ‘Heighten awareness of health related issues such as SARS, AIDS, AVIAN S (bird fu) as well as social issues such as youth and crime, violence, human trafficking, sex trade, drug trafficking (advocate changing human behaviours to enhance development) MEDIA AND CULTURE information inreases with medi; shape our culture and ientty ‘+ Pestrays life in Caribbean tothe rest ofthe worl: sports, business, tourism, polities, music + Helps develop our culture through regonel programmes this sharing of programmes creates integration + Promotion of fashion shows‘playng of diffrent genre of music/romotig diversity in cuisine + Promotion of musical shows/introduction of foreign tases through moves, soap operas et. + Promotion of clare: newsreels/dacamentaries/sponscring of cultural events competitions! media awards ‘© Showeasing/advertsing culteral events/producing culturally aware programmesireviewing cultural events MEDIA AND ECONOMIC DEVLOPMENT © Public and vate sector depend on media to facilitate flow of information on programmes of an economic nature ‘© Political mouthpiece of Govt, inform public on economic policies and issues(JIS) + Used to inform potential investors on economic climate + Inform people on redevelopment plans «Marketing of business ventures! investments ‘+ Promotion of business/products through advertisements ‘© Assist in informed decision making among consumers # Advertise employment opportunities Promotion company holding interest in capital ventures ‘© Create partnerships with private sector to promote economic ventures ~ world cup cricket MEDIA AND POLITICAL PROCESS, ‘+ Carries political advertisements during election campaign ‘+ Explains citizen rights in political processes ( voting process, electronic voting) © Acts a watch dog especially during an election + Provides feedback to goveraments re its performance’populerity (polls, letters to editor, talk shows) Aiows public through call in programmes /alk shows to express views on political matters + Promote/negate policies of ruling govemment indoctrinate masses on political ideolouy ‘Disseminate political manifestos of governments/political partes ‘© Highlight political achievement of parties! government REGIONAL MEDIA HOUSES/CORPORATIONS A news agency isan institution which employs reporters, joualists and photographers to collect information locally, regionally an internationally CARIBBEAN BROADCASTING UNION (CBU) (CBU was formed in 1970, with the view to contributing to regional integration, through the flow of broadcast material among radio and TV systems in the region. Represents public and private broadcasts systems in English, French Spanish and Dutch-speaking Caribbean Develop and execute broadcasting projects and programmes relevant to social economic and cultural well being ofthe region, Collaborate with members in training of personnel and improvement of broadcasting operations, [Develop suitable areas of cooperation among members including the production and exchange of broadcasting material, marketing and sale of programmes, publications and services to member organizations and persons regionally and internationally, on of rogional awareness and integra cough any and all of the eheve ‘+ Provides programmes on news, sports, economy, talk shows Caribbean song festival CARIBBEAN NEWS AGENCY (CANA) CANA is an outgrowth of te integration movement. CANA grew out of Government and NGO effort to pursue closer and deeper interaction emong the people ofthe region and came into being in 1976 with HQ in Barbados. i's the omly indigenous, independem regional news agency in CARICOM. Much of what’s readin Caribbean newspaper and heard oa radio and ‘TV inthe region emanates from CANA’s HQ, It provides news and information on a daily bass for over 100 newspaper, radio and TV throughout the region and beyond. ‘The mission is to enhance integration and undersanding among Caribbean peoples and between them and the rest of the world community with timely accurate and balanced and impartial news, information and analysis. It's a non profit cooperative owned by 12 private and public ¢ sector media houses Its the main supplier of regional news; BBC German News Agency, Mia subscriber base also includes Reuter's News Agency, feral. CARIBVISION Television news exchange started in 1970 with Caribbean Breedasting Corporation (CBC) in Barbados and Trinidad and Yolg Television (ITT as contibtors. Television stations share news repos from one county to anther. Barbados Extemal commurisstion (BET) and telesommunieatin services oT feted exchange inthe fst 6 months Funding and ising rceved fom Fldich Ete stitung (German Foundation) his expanded over time fo include other countries such as Jamalcs, Cubs, Bahamas, Curacao ra nto ‘nancial problems as many countries were unable to meet tei finaneial obligations FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND DEVELOPMENT

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