The Sentence Outline

Topic: Mass Media

Narrow Topic: The influence mass media has on the development of Jamaica.
Purpose: To inform Jamaicans of the many ways in which mass media aid in the development of
their country.
Thesis Statement: Mass media does not only provide factual information for the public but
plays a significant role in the development of Jamaica in ways such as economic development,
developing the regions identity, and in changing social roles.
I.

Economic growth successfully requires the publicity of mass media.

A. Forms of media such as the newspaper and the electronic media frequently advertise job
opportunities. (Locksley, 2008)
B. Promotion of services and products are broadcast though these mediums.
C. Marketing of business ventures and investments are commonly formed because of mass

II.

media.
Mass media influences culture and widens an identity for Jamaica in other regions.
A. Life in Jamaica such as our dress, religion, and food are portrayed to the rest of the world.
( Gordon 2008)
B. Political achievements of government elections are highlighted and become public
knowledge.
C. Promotion of music, musical shows, and festivals are broadcast to attract patriots and to
expose Jamaican talents.
III.
Mass media changes the social roles of individuals in Jamaica.
A. Persons became more conscious about gender equality and discrimination.
B. Awareness of health issues and crime and violence are broadcast to the public.
C. Mass media serves as an agent to educate and assist with socialization.(Dunn 1995)

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The influence mass media has on the development of Jamaica

Over the years, mass media has had a profound effect on Jamaicas development more
than what is revealed. Mass media is a form of socialization that provides information,
entertainment, and advertisement to a large number of people. However, mass media does not
only provide factual information for the public but plays a significant role in the development of
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Jamaica in ways such as economic development, developing the regions identity, and in
changing social roles.
Economic growth successfully requires the publicity of mass media. This is so because forms
of media such as the newspaper and the electronic media frequently advertise job opportunities
for qualified individuals (Locksley, 2008). The advertisement of jobs aid in development as
unemployed citizens gets an opportunity to gain employment so that they can pay their taxes and
in return contribute to the increase of Gross Domestic Product. Furthermore promotion of
services and products are broadcast though these mediums. This will also contribute to
development, as businesses will attract more customers and become more profitable thus
allowing them to contribute to the national development. Lastly, the marketing of business
ventures and investments are commonly formed because of mass media. This fosters growth
since new businesses will be form and more jobs will be created.
Mass media influences culture and widens an identity for Jamaica in other regions. Life in
Jamaica such as our dress, religion, and food are portrayed to the rest of the world. (Gordon
2008). Our unique fashions and foods have been highlighted through mass media, which
continuously gives us global business opportunities. Another way in which mass media widens
Jamaicas identity and contributes to development is by the Promotion of our music, musical
shows, festivals, and sporting events. These are broadcast to attract tourist and to expose
Jamaican talents. By attracting tourists Jamaicas economy will strengthen as these visitors are
compelled to spend their foreign currency thus inducing development. Additional political
achievements of government elections are highlighted and become public knowledge. Making
the public aware of new policies and laws that govern the country may result in persons having a

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more profound interest in Jamaica, whether to conduct business or for more pleasurable
experiences.
Mass media changes the social roles of individuals in Jamaica which contribute to the
national development of the country. This is so as persons become more conscious about gender
equality and discrimination. A form of development is human development which promotes
equality and empowerment among individual and mass media acts as an agency which educated
the public about such rights and privileges. Also the awareness of health issues and crime and
violence are broadcast to the public. Health, crime and violence is a major determinant of growth
and the media transmits information about such issues so that the necessary policy makers can
develop strategies to prevent large outbreak of these factors that can prevent investors from
venturing in our country. According to Hopeton Dunn (1995) mass media serves as an agent to
educate and assist with socialization. By doing this mass media assist individuals especially
children to become more educated which will increase the number of literate person in the
country. This will result in growth as education is a key indicator of development.
Thus, though mass media is a form of communication it is also a necessity which aids in
the development of Jamaica. Because of this, Jamaica is moving towards development by the
means of economic growth, creating a regional identity and with the changing in social roles
with individuals. Hence mass media is an agent with serves and facilitates both growth and
communication within a nation. (602 words)

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References

Gordon, N. (2008). Media and the Politics of Culture: The Case of Television Privatization and
Media Globalization in Jamaica (1990-2007). Boca Raton, Florida: Universal Publisher.
Locksley, G. (2008). The Media and Development: Whats the Story?. Washington, DC: The
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank.
Lalla, B. (1998). English for academic purposes: A distance education course for Caribbean
Students. Bridgetown, Barbados: University of West Indies Press.
Dunn, H. (Ed) (1995). Globalization, Communications and Caribbean Identity. New York:
St.Martins Press and Kingston: Ian Randle Publishers.
Lent, J. (1972). Commonwealth Caribbean Mass Media: Historical, Cultural, Economic and
Political Aspects. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Iowa.

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Kameisha Taylor 1200408