Building dependable mass communication

Ensuring, especially within developing countries, that public, private and other media are provided with the conditions and resources to gain in strength, consolidate their independence, expand and cooperate, both among themselves and with the public or private media in industrialized countries, on a basis of strict equality and mutual respect.

The importance of communication as an essential resource for the development of societies and for improving international understanding is recognized to an extent that varies according to the individual society. The growing awareness of this potential has created enhanced interest among the international community in wider participation in the communication process.

In the case of UNESCO the emphasis is on giving developing countries a distinctive voice in international dialogue and improving the quality and quantity of information flow between the developing and the industrialized world. UNESCO developed the concept of a new world information and communication order, seen as an evolving a continuous process. An International Programme for the Development of Communication was launched in 1980 to: develop endogenous capacities in developing countries, particularly communication infrastructures; mobilize increased resources from industrialized countries; strengthen international technical cooperation, notably among developing countries. Since 1990 UNESCO has emphasized the development, in countries requesting that assistance, the training of communication professionals and the facilities for media education emphasizing development of critical acumen among users and the capacity of individuals and communities to react to any kind of manipulation, whilst providing users with a better understanding of means to defend their rights. Programmes have included: development of rural press, regional news agencies, and community radio; training of specialists in desktop publishing, news agency operations, communication planning, audio-visual archives. Training courses have been developed, especially for women communicators.