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Communication, Media, and Development Policy
Analysis, Ideas and Debates on Development Policy Issues from Communication and Media Perspectives
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Communication Codes
Warren,
You have raised a very pertinent issue in Little Big Communication. And a very complex one.
There are different communication codes even within smaller groups in a larger community. For example, the youngsters have a language of their own. And unless one is wired in, it would be easy for an adult in the community to misunderstand them.
As a woman I have seen a sea of difference between the jokes men and women find funny. I often fail to catch the humour in a joke my male colleagues laugh their lungs out.
Recently in Delhi, a photographer of repute could not display his works portraying women models because some members of a religious fanatic group objected. The photos for most of us were beautiful works celebrating the female form and spirit. For the others, though they come from the same religious group and city, they were an insult to womanhood!
Hindus were horrified when pictures of their Gods got placed on footmats in the West. There were protests when a company in Australia (if I am right) named an alcoholic drink after Mahatma Gandhi, a man who shunned alcohol and is considered the Father of the nation.
And of course we have seen the violent Muslim reactions to the cartoons of the Prophet. In India some years ago there were riots when a character in a fictional story printed in the Sunday section of a newspaper was named "Mohammad".
How do we communicate right? There are problems across generations, between genders, among classes and religious groups. And of course among those with different political leanings.
Can we open the windows so that communication is easier, our understanding of each other clearer. Would mere windows suffice? Or do we need to knock down the walls? Are we as humans living in the 21st century ready for it?
Shree Venkatram
That the world is global,
That the world is global, although, converged by technology is half the truth without acknowledging the importance of "local" understanding, which is the main criterion that informs any form of informed response: actions , solutions ,and complementary communications,etc
That is why the idea of a one size fits all solution is absurd .What works very well in North Scottsdale, AZ would more often not be the needs of residents of South Phoenix, AZ. Any effective and infomed decision must be hinged on coumminications devoid of biases- a normal reaction of every person.
From a global perspective ,picture this scenario. One goes visits a foregn country on a project of Poverty Allevitaion to provide computers, armed with seemingly fundamental informations to facilitate informed questioning,informed sense of belonging to show that one cares, without realising that the most pressing needs are pboreholes and funds to build classrooms so that students can move from under the trees , attend school especially during the raining season, etc.
This singular act, borne out of good intentions, must be carefully brought to play, after a thorough understanding of the people and their needs , i'd say...
Yes, communication is very important and can make or mar one's objectivity and experiences.
Juliana Momodu
juliana.momodu@ecfnigeria.org