The media is a double-edged sword that has been both employed in propaganda and peace-building. But the prudent adherence
to media ethics leads to nation building written Martins’ Library.
PREAMBLE
"No man is an Island", said the Sixteenth Century Poet, Johne Donne. By his essence, man is a gregarious animal.
Hence, as social beings, persons cannot
exist without communicating with one
another. Communication is therefore an
anthropological reality, the fabric
of life, essential,
both for human living as well as for human growth and development. Obviously, this prime place of communication has brought about the impressive
accomplishments in information technology as a result of which there is a paradigm shift in the mode of communication, shift in our economy and professions. Information transaction is no longer limited between two or few persons, but rather oriented to a vast number of persons. However, in this write up, we are going to adopt an evaluative analytic approach, for effective comprehension of the topic.
CONCEPTUAL
ANALYSIS: MASS MEDIA
Mass Media or Mass Communication or Means of Social Communication, is the use of technical media to transmit information to a heterogeneous audience
with different orientations, beliefs and
attitudes, beyond the immediate proximity of the sender. Such media include the
(print & electronic) television, radio, newspaper etc. NATION-BUILDING
First of all, the term "nation"
is an etymological derivation of the Latin word "nasci" (to be born); given this derivation it applies to
a group of people of common racial
or biological
origin. A nation comprises both the human
and infra human dimensions. The latter includes
the land, natural resources. roads,
buildings, machines According to R.
Onwuanibe, Nadj building is the utilization of
mai and human of resources by leader: constructing the network or we! the nation, in view of the
opi development and progress of a for the good life of the citizen; other words, the goal.. building is the enhancement of fr. life,
the good life of man as a be: the society.
In this write-up, we are to
concern ourselves with the prii aspect
of the nation, which human
dimension. This is because development of a nation is prim the
development of hu: personality. And all other aspect development
are subordinate instrumental to the development! human personality. It is note also that without sticking strike the professional
canons of the media, their ambivalent nature come to the fore. They can
main mar, enthuse or dampen, create c: In
some nations they have becci "Frankenstein"
monster which slave of those who own it, but same time is capable of destroy) them and all those who are ends spell.
Depending on the use there! they have potentialities as fore-: good or evil. They can help us share education, entertainment valuable information significant roles also in the ares politics, religion/morality, economic and culture.
EDUCATIONAL
ROLE:
"Education is the bedro; nation-building which rests on I sure foundation of human values 3m%
at .ever .growing role to .; teach or ,
broaden and each capacity. The must relate . the traditional titatioris. They
are plement
established OHtitutions
in fighting as
they provide for adolescents
and want to further
their i-Learning). They should . instructing people forms
of community The
educative activities of
government. As the conscience of the
society, the media shape citizens characters. uniting them for the common good, the greatest good for all. With the help of information technologies, the leaders can show accountability and transparency in the discharge of the duties of their office. To avoid manipulation of results, elections can be conducted with these technologies. Nevertheless, Thus, the paradox that the more you
look the less you see, becomes quite evident,
as the more information modern man
claims to have through the modern
media system, the more he faces the
danger of being more ignorant as he
daily swallows a lot of untested information and unfounded rumors.
RELIGIOUS/MORAL:
The role of the means of social
communication is also felt in the national religious /moral life.
And this is only possible when the media recognize
the divine dimension, which is the most transcendental aspect of the nation.
The media enriches people's religious lives
by carrying news and information about religious
events, ideas and personalities. They
should serve as vehicles for
evangelization and catechesis and
provide inspiration, encouragement
and opportunities of worship to
persons confined in their homes or in
institutions.
On the other hand, media have
caused religious upheaval in the world, where one
religion claims superiority over the other. Different religious
groups use the media to express their religious ideologies
and at times to the detriment of each other. This
conflict at times leads to media violence. Commenting on
the enormous. testate an undeniable sourcing one's
knowledge and offer a reference
course for critical media consumers. Hence, due to this •nation
revolution, the no longer has a wooly on teaching, research and Icauuiug as everyone
is becoming tied. Media on the
other side, can retard education
in minors by distracting
them to waste time. Adults can suffer exposure to banal trashy presentations (e.g. In the internet and i :n).
For
the media to effectively play dues role of educating its users, all stationers
must first of all be themselves so as to be He to go from acts to
values, from subjectivity to objectivity, from universality and from creating
awareness to teaching.