That is what a government can do, so that in the public sphere are discussed in more serious social problems?
Often, in many countries, issues are treated very superficially in the media by people who have not the vaguest idea about it.
All ideas are welcome to try to build a methodology of discussion for the media and it has some social meaning.
That is to invite and organize the academics for discussions on social problems. Very often such discussions are left to participate only for unhappy social services clients or not gifted journalists. In Lithuania we have several hundreds. of social and humanitarian academics, but only few of them take part in mass media of the country. Why is it so? Who else, besides some gifted persons from other spheres, have to participate in discussions? And also only few of academics are taken from the universities and high schools to discussions in the ministries, municipalities or NGOs. This means that debate outside the walls of universities only rarely takes part - it is much more rare than it has to be according to my opinion.
prof. Arvydas Guogis
Vilnius, Lithuania
Dear Federico and readers,
And to have more specialized social affairs journalists in mass media. This depends on media bosses, but not only on them - it depends on the will of journalists and graduates to specialize for a longer perspective.
Arvydas Guogis
Public relations departments in public institututions, especially those of social affairs, as social insurance, social services, etc. have to possess really competent specialists. Also their relative creative independence has to be maintained by the directors and administration in order to make valuable insights, press-releases, articles, etc. Of course, the intersectional cooperation is necessary but without creative and stimulating environment public relations specialists will be nothing by performing rutine procedures only.
Arvydas Guogis
And the government people themselves have to be enthusiastic and interested what they do. Very often they seem only bureaucratic and routine oriented. One of the reasons for that I see the disappearance of clear left-right political division in internal affairs of the countries. Social problems can not be discussed without left-right discussions.
A.Guogis
Good question! and thought provoking answers from Graham, Shafig and Arvydas!
It is necessary for the governments and political parties to have discussions, but not endless discusions. The action has to come after consensus is reached. You can have plenty of visions and strategies and normative models, but if You agree on one or two, You have to implement them together with all embracing ideology and motivation enhancing. While implementing You need to have intermediary discussions on tactics, not so much on strategy which is already accepted. As in LIthuania practise is standing behind the theory, we need actions, as poverty indicators did not diminish even through the accelearated GDP growth p;eriods of 7-9 percent GDP growth, as i happened in 2003-2008 and again happening now with 3-4 GDP growth per year.
Arvydas Guogis
A
And the humanitarians from the universities and various organizations have to be invited to the discussions on social topics. Now often they are left aside for writing poetry or painting or pottery. But humanitarian professionals as well as various independent and freelance intellectuals and creators feel deeper, more sensually and spiritually and they can better understand the miseries, misfortunes and anxieties of ordinary people. Especially - of the marginalized.
The public consultation for the legislation that regulates the internet in Brazil (Marco Civil) is a good example of how you can engage a wide range of social actors in a complex debate. When discussions become excessively academic or technocratic they miss out on legitimacy. The framing of the issue itself is a significant part of the challenge of reaching a consensus.
The government can use the media like the electronic ones,the Radio, & the public forums to address the problems.Recently the Indian govt. has come out with a number of net portals for the public to use them to address their respective problems so that the govt. can have a fair idea about the ground situations & then it can take corrective actions. The govt. can also mandate the university teachers/scientists, to address citizens in their respective areas in their knowledge about the subject. It can also use the the services of the retired citizens - who have a wealth of knowledge about various subjects to address the problems.
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