The Media, Journalism and Sustainable Development Communication for Nation Building: Literature Review

Abstract

In recent decades, global calls toward sustainable development is increasing especially with the development goals set by the United Nations from the last two decades for nations to achieve, namely the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and, currently Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, nearly all poor countries and most developing nations particularly in Africa and Asia did not make substantial progress toward achieving most of the MDGs. Consequently, in a world of full of uncertainties and unforeseen natural disasters such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the attendant global economic depression, governments are apprehensive of another failure regarding the SDGs. In addition, governments’ lackadaisical attitude toward prioritizing sustainable development projects driven by a lack of research in communication for development has been highlighted as a critical setback. To address this problem, this paper critically reviewed development literature – communication for development and sustainable development with a view to providing a further understanding of the concept of development in terms of both communication and sustainability through a critical analysis of existing discourse and literature. This literature review pointed out the role and power on sustainable development in developing nations. This literature review will be a useful reference for government agencies responsible for sustainable development as well as media and press training institutions to guide the responsible future journalists to exploit and use the press and media in supporting and promoting sustainable development in developing nations.

Keywords: C4D in Nigeria and Vietnam, Communication for development in Nigeria and Vietnam, Media and journalism in Nigeria and Vietnam, Role of media in sustainable development in Africa and Asia, Role of the press in sustainable development in Africa and Asia

DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/89-01

Publication date: April 30^th 2020