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