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| Title: | Mass Communications and Nation Building: Policy Implications for Eritrea |
| Author: | Hagos, Asgede |
| Year: | 1998 |
| Periodical: | Eritrean Studies Review (ISSN 1086-9174) |
| Volume: | 2 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| Pages: | 65-87 |
| Language: | English |
| Notes: | biblio. refs. |
| Geographic terms: | Eritrea Northeast Africa |
| Subjects: | nation mass communication nationalism Literature, Mass Media and the Press Politics and Government politics Political integration public opinion access to information government policy |
| Abstract: | This paper was presented at the Eritrean National Communications Policy Conference, held July 22-25, 1997, in Asmara, Eritrea. It sketches the role of communication in nationbuilding and examines the policy implications for Eritrea that arise as a result of their interplay. The focus is on the mass media, including the role of the indigenous channels of communication - the folk media, the interpersonal channels as well as the institutional channels - within the context of Eritrean experience. As instruments of nationbuilding, the mass media have seven functions: setting the agenda; facilitating national integration; developing a national culture; establishing a national identity; facilitating participation in development; strengthening the organization of the State; and teaching the principle of good citizenship. After a sketch of the evolution of the modern press and mass communication channels during the colonial era and the period of national liberation under the EPLF, it is concluded that diversity does not have to be an impediment to nationbuilding and, conversely, that homogeneity is not the same as unity. Key elements to be included in a national communications policy are integration of traditional and modern channels of communication; free flow of information; linkage to other national objectives; giving the people direct access and voice; expanding the policy of self-reliance; credibility; the formation of a press and media council; a free-market approach to Internet; and expansion of training programmes. Bibliogr. |