Communication for social change

Today’s headlines!

“Ombudsman suspends Junjun Binay!” (DZWT 540)

“PNoy loses ally over Mamasapano 'cover-up'” (ABS-CBN)

“Church worried about SC decision on annulment case” (GMA News)

“Bill to lop off Forbes caught city unaware” (Midland Courier)

Every day when I turn on the radio or TV to listen or watch news, I always end up disappointed and upset. There are times, I choose not to listen or watch news anymore. Our leaders, the one who supposed to be our inspiration and model in communicating changes are actually the one being communicated in corruption, the brain of anomalous government transactions. Our trusted leaders, who supposed to protect us from dangers, are actually the one being “miscommunicated”. When there's something wrong, they would claim they're not aware of it. Pretty good liars, aren't they. They are the “stars” of BAD news. Now I wonder which part of communication don’t they understand?  Well I'm not saying all of them for there are still few who have conscience, thank goodness. I’m too eager to share my position in communication for social change but first l like to refresh my old forgetful brain on what communication and social change is. According to LIVINGSTRONG.COM: 

Communication is the process of sharing information, thoughts and feelings between people through speaking, writing or body language. 

I kind a like the definition of social change from www.leadershipparadigms.com too.

Social change is transforming attitudes, behaviors, laws, policies and institutions to achieve equality, diversity and opportunity. Social change involves participation of individuals closer to the problem in order to develop solutions that address social issues. 

Meanwhile, we cannot have social change if there’s no social issue or problem right? So what are social issues? Few months ago, we had the opportunity to present the United Nations- Millennium Development Goals (UN-MDG) in our Introduction Development Communication class. We presented the most pressing social issues as follows:  extreme poverty and hunger, low literacy rate among young and old, gender disparity, high maternal and child mortality, high rate of deadly diseases like AIDS/HIV, malaria and finally, environmental degradation. Therefore, I can say that:

Communication for social change means sharing helpful information that aid individuals or groups of people with social issues through communication media such as the newspapers, radio, TV, mobile phones and internet. 

Communication media don’t just give us entertainment; it has been use as vehicle to transport information. Information that doesn't only empower but also aiming to make change. This generation where communication technologies are advance and affordable, I reckon social change isn't hard to accomplish. I would say ‘isn't hard’ rather than easy because although communication media plays the most important role in making a change,

Denver Bastino of DZWT 540

there are still factors blocking the change. Let’s take the example of radio. Radio is commonly described as a mass medium because can reach millions of people anytime of the day and surpasses boundaries wherever we are on the mountains or across the ocean. I have this AM station I enjoy listening to in the morning; though I don’t really listen regularly I find it quite amusing. It’s a combination of music, very brief news and an entertaining talk. What really interest me is that the way he ridicule at people on his show, he does it in the form of joke.   The AM and FM of the radio can be use to change people’s attitude, behavior or beliefs, either through music or drama. People, especially the less privileged can be empowered by moral lessons they get from listening to music or drama. 

For example, a very poor boy who works in a car wash in the weekend to earn an allowance. Then he works as dishwasher during the day and go to high school in the evening. After high school, he applied as working students in the university to pursue higher education. He then came back to his hometown as a public school teacher.  This story is inspiring to the listeners and maybe they

Radio talents recording drama @DZWT 540

will not only hear one story of success but many and therefore encourage them to study or do their best to help themselves step out from poverty. The change now takes place if and only if they are willing to study despite the poverty. It’s only about the significance of education but also learn about moral values which is sad to say, shattering. 

Infomercials and advertisements, another good instigator of change not only to inform but also to educate. Environment degradation is a growing problem not only in the Philippines but around the world. For this matter, Local Government Units (LGU) are making resolution that would help in preventing future environmental problem such as the waste segregation. Many commercials were created to spread information. Aside from that, there are also advertisements on newspapers. Through this, the people gradually learn how to segregate their waste. The Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus or any other social media, which is in every Filipinos’ Smartphone is pretty good communication tool for change. Social media bring closer separated family and friends by long distances, bringing them together despite the physical separation. For anyone who is unable to leave their

own house especially housewife and disabled people, social networking has provided a great way to get in touch with their family and friend. So why is this important? The opportunity to see and talk to thier family and friends through the social networking sites makes a person happy. Happy feeling brings success and boosts better immune-system which naturally makes the person healthy. Which reminds me of what Elle Woods from Legally Blonde movie. During the discussion about the case of their client, she said that ~ “Happy people don't shoot their husbands. They just don't!" It makes me wonder again why there’s a lot of killing in Mindanao. I guess our brothers there are not truly happy. Most would say that the government doesn't actually understand their plight. Yet again, problem with communication. And mind you, even without these tools for communication, change can happen. Just by talking to your troubled member of family, neighbor or friend. Listening to them and giving them piece of advice would I think make difference.

On a final note, change can only occur if we ourselves are willing to change our ways and open to embrace changes that are useful in our community.

Allow me to share with you videos I've taken during our visit to one of known radio station here in Baguio. Please pardon the amateur photographer. ^_^

Got the chance to watch live recording of drama of DZWT's "Kasta La Ti Biag" (Life's Just Like that). It supposed to be drama but it turned out comedy. ^_^

References:

(____). What is social change? Leadership Paradigm. Retrieved March 12, 2015, from http://leadershipparadigms.com/docs/SOCIAL.pdf

Brown, B. (2014, January 08). What is effective communication? LIVINGSTRONG.COM. Retrieved March 12, 2015, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/69309-effective-communication/