ABSTRACT

In this chapter the authors provide arguments focusing on the role of media to provide long-term consultative approaches in development assistance. The role of the media in any disaster is significant in raising social awareness and consequently motivating funding and donations. When examining social media, the prevailing argument is that access to media sources are more and more democratized, where information is quickly disseminated and consequently turned into collective action. The authors argue that this assertion of the “democratization of the media” is an illusion. We argue that more often than not, media is dominated by power and money. While challenging some established thinking and structures in international development cooperation, the authors try to engage the ideologists of both fields of action, facilitating a process whereby significant players can reconsider their positions. In this way we hope to help bridge the gap for the betterment of so many people affected by natural and human-caused disasters. Finally, we provide some guidance on how the involvement of community and religious actors can serve as bridge-makers.