Development communication in Latin America

Abstract

Latin America has strong roots in the field of communication for development (C4D) which started even before any kind of theory on this subject emerged in western academic centers. The social and cultural context of this region sets conditions for a natural existence of experiences related to C4D approaches. A reason for this might be the oral tradition of most Latin American cultures which has been based on their indigenous origins and forms of communication until now. Another factor that makes communication practices be linked to efforts to promote social change is the structural setting in several countries and the persistence of poverty conditions and unequal distribution of opportunities among the diverse social sectors. Despite the course of at least three moments of the presence of C4D in Latin America identified as development communication, development support communication, and alternative communication for democratic development, this approach is permanently modified by the presence of new social and collective actors, different resources, and means that allow this practice, as well as new social demands of the community. These experiences are, however, recovering the regional tradition of understanding the process of communication as an ethical, aesthetical, and political practice based on dialogue and participation to reach conditions for survival and social change. Contemporary Latin America presents new visions which have an impact on C4D paradigms of Communication for Living Well and the analysis of the decolonial approach in the field of communication.