Do the Media Still Have a Role in the National and International Development

76, Mikras Asias Street, Athens 11527, Greece E-mail: akk@otenet.gr Nowadays, we live in a world which is constantly becoming more and more complex, complicated and contradictory. This fact is intensified by the media of mass communication that occupy a dominant position in this world, and usually, overwhelm all sectors of both society and economy. Many countries and, particularly, the underdeveloped ones are very often influenced positively by the indications of the media on subjects such as change in the way of thinking, ways of production mainly in relation to agriculture, education, and treatment of incurable diseases. Thus, they manage gradually to approach the primary levels of development in sectors which are considered indispensable to survival. The question, however, that arises is to what extent the suggestions of modernization, as indicated by the media, become understandable by people for their survival, and how receptive and cooperative local societies are in relation to the implementation of development programs in their countries as proposed by foreign experts. The evaluation of the role of the media regarding their positive and negative aspects is considered absolutely necessary, and is analyzed in this essay.