The mass media may also be used with good effect to support the development of new skills, to encourage social and political participation, and foster developmental planning. In reality, however, many governmental authorities in developing countries continue to perceive mass media primarily as a tool for political manipulation (Lorimer and McNulty, 1994, p. 94).
The mass media revolution came to Qatar relatively late in relation to the experience of other developing countries (Ministry of Information, 1987, p. 74). Qatari officials, however, have acted aggressively to move mass media in the state to the forefront among developing countries.
Mass media development in Qatar, as stated in the background discussion, has proceeded rapidly since its rather belated introduction. Qatari society generally is in a headlong race toward modernization. What is not know with certainty is the extent to which the application of mass media in Qatar is supporting the move toward national development. Within this
context, the research that will be performed for the proposed study will investigate the following questions:
1. Does a causal relationship exist between mass media development and national development in Qatar?
2. If a causal relationship does exist between mass media development and national development in Qatar, which variable is the antecedent?
Mass media, as the term will be used in this study, is defined as all print and electronic media present in Qatar. National development, as the term will be used in this study, refers to the integration of the population of Qatar to develop a national identity, legitimize the government, encourage participation in the political process, provide for an equitable distribution of available economic benefits to the citizens of Qatar, and facilitate the penetration of an effective role of government in all facets of society in Qatar.
The evolving global communications environ...