The Context of

Development

Writing

Development writing

purposeful sharing of

information to bring

about desirable change.

Desirable change

Greatest good of the

greatest number in a

society.

For the individual, the

fulfillment of the human

potential.

Tools of a

development writer

Print and

electronic

media

Characteristics of Development Writing

PurposiveDecide on a goal based

on what the people need

(not trickle down but

participatory)

Characteristics of Development Writing

Honest

writingNeither propaganda nor

sugar-coating

Characteristics of Development Writing

Covers relevant topicsInformation with a consequence to development.

Any new or interesting fact that is timely and useful

to the peoples development effort.

A little bit of history

Development writing in

Los Baos grew from the

concept of agricultural

journalism.

Who are the

development

writers?

Any communication

practitioner in various

organizations and offices

engaged in development

They serve as

middlemen who communicate, translate,

and popularize technical

knowledge into useful

information.

Name calling.

The titles they

carry.

information officereditormedia specialistcommunication and documentation staff

training officer

Where can you

find them?

government departments and agencies

universities and collegesresearch and development agencies

banks/commercial firmsnon-governmental organizations

Who really has the

claim to be called

development

journalist?

Mainstream or

not, its what you do which matters

most.

Development

journalism is not

intended to supplant

conventional or

traditional

journalism.

Whats the difference

between development

writing and development

journalism?

Development

journalism is

specialized

reporting.

Development writing includes

information disseminated by

government departments and

agencies, research and

development agencies,

banks, industrial corporations

and other non-governmental

organizations (NGOs).

The meaning of

information in

development

writing

Development writing

is scientific in nature.

The idea is simply that we are looking at these problems (of

development or underdevelopment)

objectively, distinguishing between

human failings and physical, social,

and economic conditions that may

provide a more convincing

explanation. Eduardo Lachica

Its like going to the

doctor to give you the

right prescription.

The new

communication

technology

Anybody can be an

instant media

practitioner.

Disadvantage:

Unregulated which may

lead to irresponsible

reporting and abuse

Example: Unconfirmed

reports, black propaganda

and humors

Advantage:

People can participate

and make their voices be

heard (empowerment).

Example: Blogs

(at the height of the GMA

scandal)

The Context of

Development

writing

Development writing digs

deeper into the peoples psyche, the problems reflect

the peoples values such their responsibilities for justice,

power, honesty and other

moral attributes.

Development writing should

prod inquiry into these

dimensions of the national

condition, ferret out the causes

and effects, and seek

solutions. The people should

hear about the success stories

as well as the failures.

Although development writing often

refers to reportage of specific events

and issues, the big story is that which

touches the dynamics of the different

parts of the larger system. Thus, the

end goal of development writing is no

less than that of social, economic,

political and cultural development.

In short

Small things, when put

together,

make up GREATER

THINGS.

Problems are all

related.

The cycle of

poverty.

Characteristics

of

Development

Journalism

PurposivePragmatic

Relevant

Scientific in

outlook

Technical subject-matter

oriented

Face off: Conventional

and Development

Journalist

How do we compare

with them?

Information

gathering

Depend on a lot of sourcesTry development topics a.k.a unfamiliar beats

See the community as a reservoir of topics/information

Information

processing

(analysis and

organization)

Same rules on objectivity, accuracy, and truth

Focus on development topicsPractice process reporting/follow-up stories

PrescriptivePresent options

Process reporting/ Follow-up

stories

Development doesnt

happen in a day, so why

would your story be just

one time?

Information

distribution

Same means as mass media (print and electronic)

Stories abound in community/local media

Value feedback (remember that communication theory

which ends in mutual

understanding?)

You have a

tough job but a

fulfilling one.

That would be

all for now.

The Context of

Development

Writing