Development Journalism

Sujeet Kumar

Central University of Bihar, Patna

Email: sujeetkumar@cub.ac.in
 Development Journalism
The concept of development
journalism is based on two basic
principle:
Development is a central social
objective.
The mass media play a decisive role
in this process.
development includes economic-
social-cultural upliftment of the weaker
section and the society as a whole.
 So, Development Journalism is a concept
dealing with development through
communication.
Development Journalism comprises:
Reporting of Ideas
Reporting of programmes
Reporting of events
Which are related to an improvement of the
living standards mainly in the rural regions.
 Concept of Public Sphere
This concept was given by Jurgen
Habermas.
Public sphere is an area in social life
where individuals can come together
to freely discuss and identify societal
problems, and through that
discussion influence political action.
The Public Sphere mediates
between private sphere and the
sphere of public authority.
 Preconditions for the Public
Sphere
In his historical analysis, Habermas
gave three institutional criteria as
preconditions for the emergence of
Public Sphere:
Disregard of status
Domain of common concern
inclusivity
Theories of Development Journalism

There are three major theories of

Development Journalism:
Authoritarian
Libertarian
Social responsibility theory
Authoritarian theory
This theory was adopted during colonial era.
This theory believes that state is more important
than individual.
The media is used as instrument of social control.
Truth is limited and not all individuals have access
to it.
Most people have to accept the truth as articulated
by the authority and conform to this truth in their
thought and action.
Authority do not tolerate any criticism.
Libertarian Theory
This theory give importance to the wisdom of the people.
Theorists believe that people are rational beings who are
able to distinguish right from wrong.
Society should create a free market of ideas. So that
people could look at different ideas and then choose freely.
They feel that where all ideas have equal chance truth will
stand and win.
criticism
But then people began to see that media could use
information not to inform people but rather just increase
the circulation of the newspaper.
Social Responsibility Theory
Media should operate under certain
moral and ethical boundaries. They must
have certain obligations.
- Informative
- Truth
- Accuracy
- Objectivity
- Balance
 At the same time freedom is important in this
theory.
Media must guard against certain interferences
by the state.
It must guard against pressure groups also.
Journalists themselves must exercise the
responsibility especially when they are working
with media groups that are privately owned.
so DJ is an instrument of social justice and
a tool for achieving beneficial social
change.
 Advantages of Development
Journalism
Press can help government to push
unpopular but necessary policies.
Press can be a tool for nation
building.
Press can be a tool to make
consensus among citizen of the
country on a certain issues.
Press can be a tool to promote social
justice.
Press can be a tool to sensitize
 Disadvantages of Development
Journalism
Press becomes far less critical and eventually is
forced to give up its watchdog role in society.
It becomes pander to the government and act
like government mouthpiece.
Press gives up its right to question the
government and authority and demand
accountability.
In the name of common good government
controls the press. (In 1975 Indira Gandhi
imposes censorship on press.)
 Types of Development
Journalism
Investigative Journalism
Intellectual Development Journalism
Civic Journalism
News Analysis
Advocacy Journalism
Interpretive Reporting
Rural/Community Journalism
Peace Journalism
Green Journalism
Investigative Journalism
It is critical
Deals with Important subjects
Own initiative
Own research
Own analysis
Exclusivity
There are three types of Investigative Journalism:
- Uncover scandals
- Review of policies or functioning of government or
organization.
- Draw attention towards social, economical, political and
cultural trends.
Investigative Journalism is not:
Daily reporting
Leak reporting
Misuse of information
Paparazzi journalism
Investigative journalism is:
Watchdog journalism
Exposing how laws and regulations are
violated.
Holding the powerful accountable.
Peace Journalism:
Presenting causes of conflict and opinions of
all sides realistically and transparent.
Giving voice to all rival parties.
Offering creative ideas for conflict resolution,
development, peace making and peace
keeping.
Exposing lies
Paying attention to post conflict
development.
Green Journalism (Environmental Journalism)
There are eight principles of environmental journalism:
The right to a clean environment is related to right to life.
Journalists should make people aware of the environmental
threats.
Raise awareness of people by reporting variety of views.
After alerting journalists should follow up the issues and also
suggest some solution.
Journalists should not be influenced by the vested interests.
Journalists should avoid alarmists, biased reporting.
Environmental journalists should foster equity in gaining access
to environmental information.
Journalists should respect the right of privacy.
Journalists should correct information if find incorrect.