Contemporary Paradigm of Development Communication: Gaps & Dogma Between 2008 – 2018

Abstract

Development is a product of collaboration and participation of all stakeholders, and communication is seen as an essential tool for participation. Development communication is critical to national development, and citizens are at the centre of this. The advent of new media technologies amplified the potential for participation in the public sphere. Consequently, discerning democratic governments appreciate the need for active discourse among citizens so that their needs can truly be understood and met. Thus, this study assessed the development communicativity to citizens of a democratic government in West Africa over ten years, 2008-2018. Findings indicated a preponderance of old media channels used by the government, huge gaps in development and communication to citizens. It also found a nexus of communication preferences and opportunity for optimised development communication to foster national development. This study is strategic as it aligns with the United Nations democracy plan and vision which encompasses civilisation, governance and developmental democracy. This paper’s significance is the intricate detail of how a specific nation is faring, developments occurring, the societal impact and communication expectations from a citizen purview. Theories engaged are the Paradigm of modernisation, dependency and the Paradigm of Another Development/Multiplicity.

Keywords: Development Communication, Nigeria, Paradigm of Multiplicity, Democracy

DOI: 10.7176/DCS/11-5-06

Publication date:May 31^st 2021