Communication Research and African National Development

Abstract

Africa is at the crossroads of success and failure in the crucial area of communication and national/human development. The overall condition of most African states reflects the legacies of their colonial past. The communication systems that are prevalent in these societies are primarily Western in structure and orientation. All of the African states rely on the two major forms of mass communication-electronic and print media. Granted, Africa exists within a world community that relies on these two forms of media communication as its primary outlets for mass distribution of news. Africa, however, possesses significant communication forms and structures that are gravely neglected, and whose potential has not yet been fully explored.' These forms, the dance, drama, song, and ritual, require attention and study within a setting that is dominated by Western and traditional media. Through research, we may be able to unearth in Africa mass media forms that could greatly supplement the present electronic and print media. In this article, I am to examine two areas of significance for communication and national/human development in