Electronic Journalism

Lesson 05 : Role of Radio in Development

Radio in Developing Societies

Over the past several decades, radio has been the medium used most extensively In developing societies as a cost-effective means of providing Information and education to diverse target groups (e.g., farmers, rural mothers. Illiterates, primary school children) in formal and nonformal education, agriculture, health, family planning, community development and nutrition.

Although radio is not a panacea for solving rural development problems nor does it have the capacity to change people's behaviours, there Is real evidence that information skillfully disseminated by radio to Intended beneficiaries can be an effective tool for creating awareness and promoting consciousness in development areas. Yet those in developing societies charged with implementing radio programmes often are frustrated by a lack of policy guidelines, organizational support and financial and political constraints .