“Saving the World” by Emile G. McAnany is a brief study of communication, its role, and significance in the framework of development and social changes. The chronological narrative of the work originates from the appearance of mass communications in American higher education institutions and the Marshall Truman plan. The ‘events of the past’ allowed to open new opportunities to apply research on this process at the international level.
The phase of the second half of the 20th century can be divided into the ‘dependency paradigm’ and the ‘participatory paradigm’. It was during the period starting from the 1970s and ending with the 1990s. Scientists from developing countries are indignant and speak out against the centralized efforts of external financial agencies, and cultural changes through C4D projects. Also, here are works related to these projects, from such famous authors as Dorfman and Mattelart, Schiller and Freire.
‘Social entrepreneurship’ – the latest paradigm considered by McAnany, suggests a promising future for this approach. It offers several important aspects within the framework of C4D adaptation. There is the development of marketing of innovative ideas, the locality of changes, the dependence of external financing, the highly significant impact of assessment on decisions made. Undoubtedly, financial support is an essential source of participation, support for innovations, and microbusiness practices.
The book’s conclusion is an assessment of the current state of ‘communication for development’ and its possible directions. Scientists should consider such elements as funding sources, control, the scale of determining success, the role of innovations in C4D programs, the relationship between people and technology, good ideas in different contexts. McAnany summarizes that the future of C4D depends on technological innovation and knowledge, research on assessment parameters, and public mobilization. Consequently, ‘Saving the World’ is a short report and fundamental analysis of communication for development. It has a concise writing style and a comprehensive narrative. Despite this, the book has two significant drawbacks – an exhaustive study of ICTs and the lack of contextualization of the history of C4D in a broader context.
The author of the article argues his position using the methods of comparison and observation. In addition, he contrasts Emile G. McAnany’s work with other seminal texts in the field of communication for development by Lerner, Rogers, Schramm, and Mattelart. In fact, the writer’s proof is a set of views and judgments regarding communication projects, for example, rural radio and mass media in a certain number of countries.
The text of the article is presented in a short, competent, and concise form. Construction of the narrative is made using a logical sequence of facts and opinions. The author skillfully uses comparative turns and states the available arguments and knowledge. He emphasizes essential theoretical and practical aspects in the field of research of his ‘colleague,’ draws concrete conclusions from this. Besides, the article’s writer highlights several advantages and disadvantages of ‘Saving the World,’ which competently argues his position to the reader.
The article about C4D relates to my real-life situations, highlights and recognizes the impact of the spread of technology on people and social change. It reflects the knowledge, skills, and competencies I have acquired, natural science literacy in the field of communication for development (C4D). Information and communication technologies are closely related to interpersonal communication, with information exchange processes and how and how I contact people.