IMPACT OF WESTERN MEDIA BROADCASTING ON CULTURE VALUES AND DEMOCRATIZATION PROCESS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: PERSPECTIVE FROM GHANA
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: The main purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of media broadcasting on culture values and democratization process in sub-Saharan Africa: perspective from Ghana.
Methodology: The study looked at the impact of media broadcasting on culture values and democratization process in sub-Saharan Africa: perspective from Ghana. Desk study review methodology was used for the paper where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes. A very thorough review of empirical literature took place to expound on the impact of media broadcasting on culture values and democratization process in sub-Saharan Africa: perspective from Ghana.
Result: The mass media in developing countries have been described as Trojan horses for the transmission of western values and for the perpetuation of cultural imperialism. Foreign programmes dominate our media screens. Programmes that have little or no redeeming values as far as our culture is concerned consistently feature on our media channels. Many third world countries including Ghana import over fifty percent of their media programmes. They do this, not from other developing countries which many be near self-sufficiency in media product. Consequent upon many years of colonization of Africa by developed nations, there has been a widening gap in their level of development.
Recommendation: Africa should manage the mass media to solve her information priorities. Technology should be harnessed to address the socio-cultural, political, economic and industrial problems of all African nations and these should be the directions of change. The aim should be to nurture democracy in Africa, achieve high educational rates and speedy economic growth so as to gain a stronger voice in the communication terrain through which she would assert herself in the international arena. The study recommends that the Ghana population should be aware of their responsibilities towards the community which is the principle way of helping development.
Keywords: Media broadcasting, Cultural values, sub-Saharan Africa, Culture values, Democratization.
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