Theme Analysis of the Concept of Communication and Development in the Provisions of the Fourth and the Fifth Development Plans of the Islamic Republic of Iran

In the view of sustainable development, and consequently the information society resulted from devlopment, the rules of planning and development policy have changed in the world, and under the influence of communication variables, many opportunities have been created. Therefore, a fundamental look at communications at the macro level of development programs is very necessary. This requires analyzing and pathologizing previous programs and evaluating their strengths and weaknesses. This paper aims at analyzing the communication materials of the Fourth and Fifth Development Plans using the content analysis approach in order to get access to the organizing and inclusive themes embedded within the programs. The results show that in the above two programs, the technical and quantitative aspects of communication are more highlighted and its qualitative and content aspects such as futures research, policy making, planning, new media, social networks, virtual life, freedom of information and dissemination as well as movement towards knowledge-based society has received less attention. Based on these findings, the paper through a critical view explains the role of communication in formulating development plans so that in the new developmental plans through looking inside the country and based on indicators of Islamic Iranian identity a more foubdemental attention is paid to planning for communications.