Roles and Functions of Mass Media

ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MASS MEDIA Roles and Functions of the Mass Media 1) $) %) *) ,)

!o"i !o"isio sion n of Info!#at Info!#ation ion Ente Ente!t !tai ain# n#en entt Const!uction of National& National& Re'ional Re'ional and Dias(o!ic Dias(o!ic identit !o#oti !o#otion on of Cultu!al Cultu!al E+(e!ien E+(e!ience ce and E+chan' E+chan'e e !o#oti !o#otion on and Defen Defence ce of Ri'hts Ri'hts of Citi-e Citi-ens ns

Acco!din' to .eddoe et al /$01%) #ass #edia is the te!# used to desc!i2e all #ethods of co##unication 3hich ha"e 2een de"elo(ed to !each "ast audiences4  These channels channels of co##unication co##unication can 2e (laced (laced into $ cate'o!ies5 cate'o!ies5 (!int (!int #edia and elect!onic4 i4 ii4

!int !int Medi Media a cons consist ists s of ne3s ne3s(a( (a(e!& e!& #a'a #a'a-in -ines es and and 6ou! 6ou!na nals ls etc4 etc4 Elect!o Elect!onic nic consists consists of tele(h tele(hone& one& inte!ne inte!net& t& fa+& fa+& !adio !adio&& satellit satellite& e& ca2le ca2le and 7l#s4 7l#s4  The can 2e used used to info!#& info!#& ente!tain& (e!suade (e!suade and #ani(ulate4

As a !esult of f!eedo# of e+(!ession& ensh!ined in the constitution of #ost Ca!i22ean islands& islands& the!e is a "i2!ant and e8ecti"e #ass #edia 3hich functions as a'ents of info!#ation /ne3s& 3eathe!& disaste! 3a!nin'& and ad"e!tise#ents)& education /docu#enta!ies) /docu#enta!ies) and in9uence /sha(in' ou! "alues& attitudes and 2eha"io!s)4  The #edia in the the Ca!i22ean 2e'an 2e'an in the (ost:E#anci(ation (ost:E#anci(ation (e!iod 3ith the the esta2lish#ent of ne3s(a(e! (u2lications (u2lications such as the Dail ;leane! in 1<%*4 Man othe! (u2lications e#e!'ed ac!oss the Re'ion such as the .eacon4 Afte! the Renaissance the #ost (o(ula! #ediu# 3as the (!int4 Stea# (o3e!ed (!ess 3as the #ain technolo' at the ti#e4 In the 1=,0>s (hotoco(in' technolo' technolo' 3as in"ented 2 Ed3in Land4 In the 1==0>s 3ith ad"ance#ents in co#(ute! technolo' and co#(ute! t(esettin'& (!intin' 2eca#e a"aila2le4 The Ca!i22ean has e#2!aced these technolo'ical technolo'ical ad"ances and toda citi-ens can (u2lish ne3slette! o! #a'a-ines usin' co#(ute! technolo'4 Co##unication 2et3een 2usinesses has 2een i#(!o"ed4

The newspaper  is the oldest #eans of co##unication4 Its funda#ental !i'ht is to (!esent ne3s 3ithout slantin'& disto!tin' o! su((!essin' and to e+(!ess fo!th!i'ht ne3s on an #atte! i!!es(ecti"e i!!es(ecti"e of (e!sonalities in"ol"ed4 These o26ecti"es should 2e to ensu!e f!eedo# of the (!ess& ensu!e hi'h standa!ds of 6ou!nalis# and to ad"ise the 'o"e!n#ent on #atte!s !elatin' to !e'ulation and cont!ol of ne3s(a(e!4 The radio is one of the i#(o!tant #ode!n da in"entions 4 It sends info!#ation "ia elect!ical 3a"es4 It is an e8ecti"e #eans of cont!ollin' and #ouldin' (u2lic o(inion4 It 2!oadens ou! ?no3led'e and unde!standin' of (eo(le all o"e! the 3o!ld4 The TV co##unicates info!#ation and (ictu!es4 It e+e!ts a (o3e!ful in9uence on ha2its& attitudes& econo#ics and education4 In the Ca!i22ean 3e ha"e the follo3in' Media Houses : an institution 3hich e#(los !e(o!te!s& 6ou!nalists and (hoto'!a(he!s to collect info!#ation locall& !e'ionall and inte!nationall5

1. CARIBBEAN CARIBBEAN BRO BROADCA ADCASTIN STING G UNION UNION CBU! C.U 3as fo!#ed in 1=@0& 3ith the "ie3 to cont!i2ute to !e'ional inte'!ation& inte'!ation& th!ou'h 9o3 of 2!oadcast #ate!ial #ate!ial a#on' !adio and T sste#s in the !e'ion4 It !e(!esents (u2lic and (!i"ate 2!oadcasts sste#s in En'lish& F!ench& S(anish and Dutch:s(ea?in' Ca!i22ean4 The follo3in' a!e its functions5  De"elo( and e+ecute 2!oadcastin' (!o6ects and (!o'!a##es !ele"ant to social& econo#ic and cultu!al 3ell:2ein' of the !e'ion4  Colla2o!ate 3ith #e#2e!s in t!ainin' of (e!sonnel and i#(!o"e#ent of  2!oadcastin' o(e!ations4

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ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MASS MEDIA 

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De"elo( suita2le a!eas of coo(e!ation a#on' #e#2e!s includin' the (!oduction and e+chan'e of 2!oadcastin' #ate!ial& #a!?etin' and sale of (!o'!a##es& (u2lications and se!"ices to #e#2e! o!'ani-ations and (e!sons !e'ionall and inte!nationall4 !o#otion of !e'ional a3a!eness and inte'!ation th!ou'h an and all of  the a2o"e !o"ides (!o'!a##es on ne3s& s(o!ts& econo# tal? sho3s& Ca!i22ean Son' Festi"al4

". CARIBBEAN NE#S AGENC$ CANA! Now %a&&ed Cari''ean Media Corpora(ion CMC!) CANA ca#e into 2ein' in 1=@B 3ith H in .a!2ados4 CANA is an out'!o3th of the inte'!ation #o"e#ent to (u!sue close! and dee(e! inte!action a#on' the (eo(le of the !e'ion4 Its the onl indi'enous& inde(endent !e'ional ne3s a'enc in CARICOM4 Much of 3hat is !ead in Ca!i22ean ne3s(a(e! and hea!d on !adio and T in the !e'ion e#anates f!o# CANAs H4 It (!o"ides ne3s and info!#ation on a dail 2asis fo! o"e! 100 ne3s(a(e!& !adio& T th!ou'hout the !e'ion4  The #ission is to enhance inte'!ation and unde!standin' a#on' Ca!i22ean (eo(les and 2et3een us and the !est of the 3o!ld 3ith ti#el& accu!ate and 2alanced and i#(a!tial ne3s& info!#ation and analsis4 Its a non:(!o7t coo(e!ati"e o3ned 2 1$ (!i"ate and (u2lic secto! #edia houses4 Its the #ain su((lie! of !e'ional ne3s to Reute!s Ne3s A'enc& ..C ;e!#an Ne3s A'enc and Mia#i He!ald4

*. CARIBVISION  Tele"ision ne3s e+chan'e sta!ted in 1=@0 3ith Ca!i22ean .!oadcastin' Co!(o!ation /C.C) in .a!2ados and T!inidad and To2a'o Tele"ision /TTT) as cont!i2uto!s4 Tele"ision stations sha!e ne3s !e(o!ts f!o# one count! to anothe!4 +UNCTIONS O+ MASS MEDIA, 1. So%ia&i-a(ion Due to its inte'!al !ole in ou! dail life& #ass #edia has 2eco#e a st!ate'ic a'ent of sociali-ation and social cont!ol4 The se!"e as sou!ces of info!#ation and ideas fo! la!'e nu#2e! of (eo(le consu#in' thei! (!oducts4 The (!o"ide us 3ith #uch indi!ect e+(e!ience of e"ents and (!ocesses ha((enin' 2eond ou! social e+(e!ience4 It the!efo!e (las an i#(o!tant (a!t in de7nin' !ealit and in encou!a'in' a co##on i#a'e of societ a#on' its #e#2e!s4 The #edia ensu!es an un!est!icted (u2lic ai!in' of di8e!ences of o(inion on issues of (u2lic inte!est and conce!n4 The #edia also acts as a neut!al autono#ous se!"ant of the (u2lic not onl in !aisin' issues 2ut also actin' as a 3atch do' of the hi'hest and lo3est and 'ua!dians of the (u2lic inte!est a'ainst "iolation of 'ene!all acce(ted standa!ds and (atte!ns of 2eha"iou! o! a2use of (o3e!4 ". Inor/a(ion a'ou( Ins(i(u(ions  ou!nalists see it as thei! !ole to !esea!ch and in"esti'ate local institutions such as the chu!ch& state& school& health ca!e facilities& 6ustice sste# etc in o!de! to info!# the (u2lic on thei! o(e!ations4 Fo! e'4 ou!nalists ha"e 3!itten a2out CARICOM and its institutions such as the CSME and CC etc in o!de! to info!# the (u2lic of thei! i#(o!tance to !e'ional inte'!ation4 Inte!national Institutions ha"e also 2eco#e the focus of attention 2 the #ass #edia: e'4 IMF& TO& UN and its aGliates in !elation to thei! i#(act on thi!d 3o!ld count!ies es(eciall the Ca!i22ean4

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ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MASS MEDIA Inor/a(ion on E0en(s  The #ass #edia ha"e also ta?en on the tas? of co"e!in' local& !e'ional and inte!national e"ents4 The #edia !e(o!ts on c!i#e& (ollution& M s(eeches4 On the !e'ional scene e"ents such as c!ic?et& foot2all& athletics ta?e cent!e sta'e and natu!al disaste!s4 Inte!national e"ents a!e also 'i"en full co"e!a'e as local !adio and T stations  ne3s(a(e! follo3 3o!ld e"ents f!o# a'encies such as Ne3s Net3o!?& ..C& Associated !ess  Reute!s4 These e"ents include I!aJ 3a!& Is!aeliKalestine Con9ict& =K11 attac?& SARS out2!ea? etc4 Inor/a(ion on Trends  The #edia ha"e follo3ed #a6o! t!ends locall& !e'ionall and inte!nationall4  T!ends such as !isin' c!i#e in A and ?idna((in' in T!inidad and ;uana ha"e !ecei"ed #edia attention4 On the inte!national scene the!e a!e !e(o!ts of HIKAids in the Ca!i22ean and t!ade li2e!ali-ation and its e8ects on s#all islands4 Local ente!tain#ent ta?es cent!e sta'e /conce!ts& festi"als etc)4 Inte!national e"ents a!e also 2ea#ed li"e into ou! ho#es such as Ol#(ics& o!ld ;a#es& o!ld Cu( Foot2all& o!ld Cu( C!ic?et& N.A& Miss o!ld& ;!a##& Osca!s etc4 *. En(er(ain/en(  This is the c!itical function of #ass #edia th!ou'h #a'a-ine& 6ou!nalist& cine#a& T& !adio etc4 Local ente!tain#ent acti"ities ta?e cent!e sta'e in 2oth the elect!onic and (!int #edia c!ic?et& ho!se !acin'& foot2all& conce!ts& festi"als a!e 'i"en (!io!it4 Ca!ni"al in T!inidad and C!o( O"e! in .a!2ados can 2e desc!i2ed as !e'ional and inte!national e"ents co"e!ed 2 inte!national (!ess to 2e "ie3ed 2 e+t!a:!e'ional audiences4 Ol#(ics and o!ld ;a#es can also 2e "ie3ed all o"e! the 3o!ld4 Ms4 o!ld and the ;!a## A3a!ds a!e #a6o! fo!#s of ente!tain#ent 3hich Ca!i22ean (eo(le de#and co"e!a'e of& f!o# #edia (!actitione!s4

. Cons(ru%(ion o Na(iona& Iden(i(2  The National Cultu!al Foundation /.a!2ados) and the a#aica Cultu!al De"elo(#ent Co##ission a!e o!'ani-ations !es(onsi2le fo! coo!dinatin' cultu!al acti"ities4 The #edia hel( to const!uct national identit 2 2ein' 'i"en ai!ti#e  s(ace in the elect!onic and (!int #edia to the histo! and cultu!e of the (eo(le4 a#aica use !e''ae as a fo!# of national identit4  The 3o!? of the Ca!i22ean .!oadcastin' Union and the Ca!i22ean Ne3s A'enc to'ethe! fo!#s Ca!i22ean Media Co!(o!ation and has hel(ed (eo(le to foste! the 2ondin' of Ca!i22ean (eo(le and sha(e ou! !e'ional identit 2 focusin' on Ca!i22ean issues4  The 2!oadcast of inte!national e"ents f!o# the Ca!i22ean in s(o!ts& ente!tain#ent& tou!is#& education& inte!national a8ai!s& and 2usiness has hel(ed to sho3case the Ca!i22ean identit to the 3o!ld4 The Ca!i22ean #edia has (!o6ected the Ca!i22ean Identit th!ou'h thei! 3o!ld fa#ous #usic: !e''ae& dancehall& cal(so 3hich a!e (laed on !adio and tele"ision (!o'!a##es and in ad"e!tise#ents4 The a#aican Tou!ist .oa!d>s One Lo"e ad"e!tise#ent 3ith .o2 Ma!le is a (o3e!ful (!o6ection of the Ca!i22ean Identit4  The use of the dialects in #edia has also hel(ed to hi'hli'ht Ca!i22ean Identit4 In (!o#otin' Ca!i22ean Inte'!ation th!ou'h CARICOM and the Association of Ca!i22ean States is fu!the! (!o6ectin' Ca!i22ean !e'ional identit4

3. Respondin4 (o Cu&(ura& I/peria&is/

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ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MASS MEDIA  This is the (!ocess of fo!ei'n cultu!e do#inatin' the cultu!al he!ita'e and e+(!essions of s#alle!& less (o3e!ful !e'ion4 Mass #edia 2oth !e'ional and fo!ei'n a!e "ehicles of cultu!al i#(e!ialis#4 A((!o+i#atel @, of the T (!o'!a##es in the Ca!i22ean o!i'inates outside the !e'ion !a(& hi(:ho(& R. and othe!s co#(ete 3ith !e''ae and cal(so on the ai!3a"es4 T (!o#otes an un!eal (ictu!e of A#e!ican societ 3hich is often acce(ted 2 Ca!i22ean (eo(le as !eal4 This c!eates a desi!e to e#i'!ate& es(eciall a#on' the oun'4 The!efo!e in ou! 2id to e#ulate inte!national t!ends& (a!ts of ou! cultu!e 2e'in to #e!'e 3ith the ne3 in9uences f!o# the #ass #edia4 C!ic?et 3as a 3ell:lo"ed Ca!i22ean s(o!t 2ut 3ith the ad"ance#ent of #edia technolo': ca2le& inte!net: 2as?et2all and Eu!o(ean Foot2all ha"e la!'e! audiences& es(eciall a#on' the ouths4 It is clai#ed that the #edia is !es(onsi2le fo! the chan'in' !oles of fa#il #e#2e!s and othe! social institutions th!ou'hout the !e'ion: e'4 Ma!ital and 'ende! !oles4 Child!en as a !esult of #o!e access to the #edia a!e #o!e info!#ed and e+(osed ea!lie! to the facts of life and a!e #o!e a3a!e of thei! !i'hts as child!en4 So#e also 2elie"e that this '!eate! a3a!eness facilitated 2 the #edia has hel(ed to dest!o the t!aditions of #o!al "alues and !es(ect fo! autho!it that 3as cha!acte!istic of Ca!i22ean cultu!e4

5. 6ro/o(ion and deen%e o Ri4h(s o Ci(i-ens.  The #edia e#(o3e!s citi-ens to #a?e !es(onsi2le and info!#ed decisions on i#(o!tant #atte!s such as the election of oGcials4 It functions as a 3atchdo' on 'o"e!n#ent on 2ehalf of the citi-ens4 At the sa#e ti#e it se!"es as an info!#ant fo! 'o"e!n#ent& 2 facilitatin' de2ates& announcin' state (!ocesses and decisions and 2!oadcastin' state e"ents4  The #edia t!ies to ensu!e that oGcials #eet hi'h standa!ds& 2 !e(o!tin' sho!tco#in's o! failin's4 So#eti#es it see#s as if the #edia is al3as in o((osition 2ut anta'onis# is so#eti#es health fo! de#oc!ac4  The #edia (!otects the !i'hts of citi-ens 2 2!in'in' issues of in6ustice to the (u2lic>s attention e4 2!eaches of consu#e! !i'hts& (olice 2!utalit and ineJuit in the dist!i2ution of se!"ices4 The #edia also e+(oses info!#ation on issues of #is#ana'e#ent and co!!u(tion that 3ould othe!3ise 2e 3ithheld f!o# o!dina! citi-ens4 Lette! to the edito! o! callin' in on !adioKT tal? sho3s a!e #eans used 2 citi-ens to "oice thei! conce!ns4

MASS MEDIA AND THE DIAS6ORA  The (eo(le in the Dias(o!a ha"e al3as de(ended on the #edia to #aintain a !elationshi( 3ith thei! ho#e count! the st!u''le to #aintain thei! cultu!al identit and he!ita'e 3hile inte'!atin' into fo!ei'n s(ace and cultu!e4 Mass #edia is one of the (!i#a! #eans th!ou'h 3hich (eo(le in the dias(o!a en6o ente!tain#ent and a!e ?e(t info!#ed a2out ne3s and de"elo(#ent in the Ca!i22ean4 Fo! e'4 hen the I c!ic?et tea# 3on o!ld Cu( in the 1=,0>s& a'ainst En'land& est Indians too? to the st!eets to cele2!ate this e"ent 3as co"e!ed 2 ..C4 This 3as the 7!st ti#e the .!itish en6oed a dis(la of Ca!i22ean cele2!ation& lan'ua'e and cultu!e th!ou'h the #edia4 !o'!a##es ha"e also 2een hosted 2 est Indians fo! e'4 Louise .ennet 3ho hosted a ..C (!o'!a##e called est Indian ;uest Ni'ht& 3he!e she int!oduced ne3 est Indian talent

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ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MASS MEDIA  Toda the dias(o!a is no3 #o!e e+(osed to Ca!i22ean info!#ation& ente!tain#ent and cultu!e4 Se"e!al Ca!i22ean !adio (!o'!a##es a!e no3 a"aila2le on (!i#e ti#e stations in so#e cities in Canada& US  U4 The (!o'!a##es deal 3ith issues a8ectin' the dias(o!a such as i##i'!ation and ci"il !i'hts4 I!ie a# Radio has 2een in a#aica fo! 1= ea!s4 The (!o"ide li"e st!ea#in' f!o# the Ca!i22ean as 3ell as (!o'!a##in' f!o# US4 Mainst!ea# #edia a!e 2e'innin' to !eali-e the si-e and st!en'th of the dias(o!a and a!e no3 !eachin' out to that '!ou(4 Ca2le ision one of the la!'est ca2le net3o!?s in US (!o"ides $*h! co"e!a'e of ne3s and ente!tain#ent f!o# the Ca!i22ean to the dias(o!a4 .olts "icto! at the Ol#(ics cou(led 3ith A ,0 th anni"e!sa! #ade a#aica the cent!e of attention at that ti#e4

MASS MEDIA AND CHANGING SOCIA7 RO7ES  o!t!as chan'in' !ole of the fa#il #e#2e!s   The!e a!e tal? sho3s and a!ticles a2out 3o#en and thei! chan'in' !oles and !i'hts4  Mo!e consciousness on 'ende! eJualit   TKCo#(ute! has 2eco#e the a'ent of sociali-ation  Child!en a!e e+(osed ea!l to the facts of life and #o!e a3a!eness of the !i'hts of the child  Less inte!action 3ith (ee!s as TKCo#(ute! ?ee(s child!en occu(ied  Used in fo!#al education  Used in 2!in'in' !eli'ion to the (eo(le  Hei'hten a3a!eness of health !elated issues such as HIKAIDS& Chic & Pic?   Hi'hli'hts social issues such as outh and c!i#e& hu#an t!aGc?in'& se+ t!ade& d!u' t!aGc?in' etc4 MASS MEDIA AND CU7TURE  Flo3 of info!#ation inc!eases 3ith #edia sha(es ou! cultu!e and identit4  o!t!as life in Ca!i22ean to the !est of the 3o!ld5 s(o!ts& 2usiness& tou!is#& (olitics& #usic  Hel(s de"elo( ou! cultu!e th!ou'h !e'ional (!o'!a##es  !o#otes fashion sho3s (lain' of di8e!ent 'en!e of #usic (!o#otion of di"e!sit in ou! cuisine  !o#otion of #usical sho3s& #o"ies etc 3hich can int!oduce fo!ei'n tastes  Cont!i2utes to cultu!al i#(e!ialis# MASS MEDIA AND ECONOMIC DEVE7O6MENT  u2lic and (!i"ate secto!s de(end on #edia to facilitate 9o3 of info!#ation on econo#ic (!o'!a##es4  olitical #outh (iece fo! the 'o"e!n#ent to info!# (u2lic on econo#ic (olicies and issues4  Used to info!# (otential in"esto!s on econo#ic cli#ate  Info!# (eo(le on !ede"elo(#ent (lans4  Ma!?ets 2usiness "entu!es and in"est#ents  !o#otes 2usiness (!oducts th!ou'h ad"e!tise#ents  Assist in hel(in' consu#e!s to #a?e info!#ed decisions  Ad"e!tise e#(lo#ent o((o!tunities MASS MEDIA AND 6O7ITICA7 6ROCESS  Ca!!ies (olitical ad"e!tise#ents du!in' election ca#(ai'n  E+(lains citi-ens !i'hts in (olitical (!ocesses /"otin' (!ocess)  Acts as a 3atchdo' es(eciall du!in' election4  !o"ides feed2ac? to 'o"e!n#ent !e its (e!fo!#anceK(o(ula!it th!ou'h (olls& lette!s to the edito! and tal? sho3s  Allo3s (u2lic to e+(!ess "ie3s on (olitical #atte!s th!ou'h call in (!o'!a##es and tal? sho3s  !o#oteKne'ate (olicies of the !ulin' 'o"e!n#ent  Indoct!inate #asses on (olitical ideolo'  Disse#inate (olitical #anifestos  Hi'hli'hts (olitical achie"e#ents of 'o"e!n#entK(a!ties

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ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MASS MEDIA

+REEDOM O+ THE 6RESS AND DEVE7O6MENT F!eedo# of the (!ess is the !i'ht fo! the (!ess to (u2lish o! (!oduce ?no3led'e 3ithout fea! of (olitical inti#idation& o! inte!"ention 2 the !ulin' 'o"e!n#ent of the da4 This 'o"e!ns the choice of to(ics andKo! the !es(onse to a (olitical issue4 hen censo!shi( occu!s& this is a clea! indication that the (!ess is not f!ee to !e(o!t the e"ents of the da and the "a!ied o(inion of these e"ents4 Le'al stances such as accusin' 6ou!nalists of li2el can also 2e int!oduced as an e8o!t to sti9e a f!ee (!ess4  The (!ess itself can 2e de7ned as the (!int #edia& such as ne3s(a(e!s& #a'a-ines and the elect!onic #edia& such as the Inte!net& tele"ision4 Man (!int #edia (!oduce thei! o3n inte!net editions of& fo! e+a#(le& thei! ne3s(a(e! a!ticles4  ou!nalists a!e to 2e allo3ed access to the seat of 'o"e!n#ent and i#(o!tant 'o"e!n#ent decisions 3hich the !e(o!t 2ac? to the (o(ulace4 ou!nalists should not fea! !e(!isals fo! !e(o!tin' thei! sto!ies4 The ne"e!theless ha"e the !es(onsi2ilit to (!esent fai! and accu!ate !eadin's of the e"ents of the da4 In the Ca!i22ean& f!eedo# of the (!ess is c!itical fo! the de#oc!atic (!ocess in 3hich the (eo(le a!e #ade a3a!e of the actions of inte!national& !e'ional and local 'o"e!n#ent a'encies !e'a!din' thei! de"elo(#ent4 The (!ess holds the doo! to co##unication 3ith the (o(ulace4  Ho3e"e!& Ho3 f!ee is the (!ess in $011Q Ne3s sto!ies co#e f!o# CNN& BBC A#e!ican and .!itish ne3s a'encies& all of 3hich ha"e thei! (olitical a'enda 3hich #a not 2e fa"ou!a2le to the a'enda of the de"elo(in' count!4 National (!ess can then 2e accused of (!esentin' a 2iased (oint of "ie34 Ha!d to i'no!e the !ole of inte!national fundin' a'encies such as the IMF and the TO in (!oducin' !e(o!ts on the de"elo(#ent of Ca!i22ean nations4 ith !e'a!ds to s(o!ts& such as est Indies c!ic?et& the 2!oadcastin' !i'hts a!e no3 o3ned 2 S? S(o!ts& an inte!national tele"ision co#(an4 In this instance& the (!ess #a 2e at the #e!c of the #o'ul e#(i!e 3ith !e'a!d to !e(o!tin' issues 3hich a!ise& o! #a 'ain access to the 2!oadcast4  Tal? sho3s and call:in (!o'!a##es : in 3hich #e#2e!s of the (u2lic a!e as?ed to call the studioK(!o'!a##e and 'i"e thei! o(inions on a "a!iet of su26ects4 The a!e allo3ed to s(ea? f!eel : so#e #a a!'ue onl to the e+tent that the studio dee#s to 2e so  that is& can 2e inte!!u(ted& o! the call can 2e disconnected 2 the studio : #ode!ato!& host& #ana'e! of station4  The (!ess can (la a (i"otal !ole in settin' the a'enda fo! 'o"e!n#ent actionKnational a'enda& fo! e+a#(le& 3hen (!ess co"e!s an incident in a schoolKsociet 3hich the 2!in' to the (u2lic>s attention4 olic #a e"ol"e to add!ess the issue  usuall i##ediate 2ut #a also 2e lon' te!#4 E"en in Ca!i22ean count!ies 3hich clai# to u(hold this notion of f!eedo# of the (!ess& 'o"e!n#ents still inte!"ene andKo! i#(ose censo!shi( in so#e fo!# o! fashion4 So#e Ca!i22ean 'o"e!n#ents #a a!'ue that censo!shi( is necessa! fo! (u2lic safet and fo! (olicies to 2e i#(le#ented fo! e+a#(le& Cu2a4  That cont!ol of the (!ess #a 2e seen as necessa! 2ecause of the need to inculcate a((!o(!iate attitudes 3ithin the co##unit and its (eo(le4 It #a not 2e seen as c!itical to de"elo(#ent as othe! f!eedo#s fo! e+a#(le& 3o!shi(& education& 3o!?& life4 On the othe! hand& 3ith the Inte!net& the (u2lic can !ead a "a!iet of !e(o!ts on the sa#e inte!national issue and (e!ha(s 'ain a 2alanced (e!s(ecti"e4

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