With the rapid change the world is currently experiencing, comes different emerging world problems that needs to be addressed. Some among these are the Sustainable Development Goals (SGD’s) that covers 17 world issues which different countries wanted to resolve by 2030.
This maybe is the greatest challenge a Development Communicator is expected to solve. But the problem lies not just with how we (Development communication practitioners) will inform other people about these circumstances but also, on how we will be able to look into these dilemmas in a developmental perspective and provide aid that will benefit the poor, the marginalized and the unaware. As well as on how we will be able to easily concern ourselves with development-oriented topics.
Looking at it there are questions that needs to be answered. What makes something development-oriented? What characteristics does a current issue have that associates it with the search and understanding of development?
To be able to provide other people the growth and the progress that they badly needed one practitioner must first immerse him/herself with topics which main idea is the focus to development. And so, here are the top three characteristics that I have found out that makes a topic development oriented.
Purposive
One among the top characteristic of a development-oriented topic is its purposiveness. One topic must be mainstreamed because it has a higher goal of serving those who needs it most. Just like how Atty. Vida Soraya S. Veroza, a Development Communication graduate stated in her interview in the Los Baños Laguna television show entitled “Dito sa Laguna.” During the discussion she said that as a Human Rights Lawyer, she always believe that as a development communicator she always has the capability to be the start of change, since DevComm is always mass oriented and biased for the poor (those who are left behind and disregarded by the majority) she believes that those who have less in life should have more in law.
Everything that a man does under Development communication is a search for a topic that has the purpose to lift and alleviate the burdens that a certain individual carries up to now. The kind of purpose that will be able to present the definition that Prof. Nora C. Quebral, professor emeritus stated in her definition of Development Communication as: “the science of human communication linked to the transitioning of communities from poverty in all its forms to a dynamic, overall growth that fosters equity and the unfolding of individual potential.”
Moreover, the purposiveness of the topic makes it relevant to the people. This is because the topic itself seeks for attention to be addressed and resolved for the betterment of the community it is situated.
This point out to the second characteristic a development-oriented topic must possess relevance.
Relevant
Despite the hindrances of being competed with Mass Communication, Dr. Rogelio P. Matalang another Development Communication graduate and practitioner pointed out in his interview with Dito sa Laguna the importance of DevComm to the society today. This is because the course makes sure of tackling relevant issues linked with a certain community or group of people one practitioner involves him/herself into. This was supported by Sly Custodio, a Development Communication student of the University of the Philippines Los Baños who stated that one characteristic of a development-oriented topic is its relevance to the context it is set, that is why if one writes for LB Times (Published Newspaper of Los Baños Laguna) you must discuss issues that concerns Los Baños.
Relevance makes anything produced within any media landscape or any developmental approach easier because topics are something the target audience can relate into. This further helps the communicators connect with the masses, this provides them the capability to catch the attention of their addressees.
Last of all is its characteristic to be centered to growth.
Centered to growth
Prof. Sarhaila Latip-Yusoph
“…this is the one that I would like (to do). To serve my community, see to it that I can be of use to my people.”
The last thing that I get from this activity is the characteristic of a development – oriented topic to be centered to growth. Prof. Quebral, the woman behind the term Development Communication discussed how she sees a development-oriented topic to be purposive, pragmatic and value laden according to her book Development Communication Primer. This all seeks progress, progress that is achieved through logical, rational, realistic and acceptable process.
Indeed, it was hard to easily see these characteristics to just any issue the world is facing today, and as a development communicator it was our toughest job to see through this dilemmas and be able to know development-oriented topics/issues that the ordinary Juan and Aling Maria of the country faces every day.
Let me end this with a challenge from Professor Sarhaila Latip-yusoph on her interview in Dito sa Laguna.
Prof. Sarhaila Latip-Yusoph
“(my greatest goal is) to emancipate our people from the feeling of having all these frustrations in history to something that can really be used towards creating change in the society.”
BLOG 6050 