Development Journalism in Africa: Capitulation of the Fourth Estate?*

Abstract

This paper traces the historical underpinnings of development journalism. It argues that, like the ideology of development which is its raisond'etre,development journalism, though a welcome departure from Western mass media paradigms, lacks organic relevance to makeit a legitimate professional pursuit for sub-Saharan Africanjournalists. This is because 'development' no longerevok~ patriotism in the present socio-political environment of the region. The paper also postulates that historical factors, political and economic mismanagement, and international economic and ideological interests have played major roles in stultifying sub-Saharan Africa's development thereby (a) limiting the capacity of its journalists to play meaningful roles in society, and (b) hampering the development of mass media in the region.

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