Role Of Media In The Face Of Economic Challenges

Written By Chikezie Chinkata, FRCN Abuja Operations

It is often said that the media is the fourth estate of the realm, connoting its significance in the development of society, in the face of myriad challenges.

To this end, so much is expected of the professionals and all stakeholders in the media industry to ensure that the hope of the masses in this regard is not dashed.

Apart from ensuring that the people are well informed about the happenings in the society, government at all levels are also made to be aware of the needs and expectations of the citizens in all efforts at promoting good governance, these basic roles notwithstanding is the responsibility of the media to set agenda and propagate positive ideas that could let the people out of very difficult situations.

Given the current economic issues and challenges facing the country, which have made the nation’s inflationary rates go higher than envisaged, information managers at different levels need to begin to enlighten the people on measures that could help, instead of exclaiming the fearful trends in the cost of living always.

Though the media must ensure that the people are informed about the true position of things in society, however, the implications of the continued highlight of the painful economic situation is that it undermines other aspects of the role of the media which is uplifting the people with positive sides of the situation no matter the difficulties.

It is the responsibility of the media to also enlighten the people on how some nations in the world who had passed through such difficult times eventually got over it, especially with sincerity and commitment on the part of the government and the people.

For instance, at the peak of the COVID-19, pandemic, some economic theorists, political analysts, and medical experts just to mention a few had fearful positions, that made the whole issue appear as if everything was collapsing but today with the commitment of the people from different spheres of life, it appears as if the pandemic is gone and gone forever.

So, in the same vein, the current economic situation in the country can be handled with a better information management framework championed by the media and concerted efforts by the government at all levels to see that the standard of living of the people is improved.

The media at this point should be more concerned with propagating fruitful ideas and highlighting government policies and programmes as well as expertise that could help the nation overcome the challenges of the high cost of living as soon as possible.

At this point the media must pay more attention to successful reports on the use of compressed natural gas to power generating sets, automobiles, and other inventions that serve as alternatives to fuel such as efficient solar panels for power generation, to reduce dependency on fuel which cost has triggered high inflationary rates.

Unrealistic and violent approaches will not be helpful at all in resolving the issues hence Government on its part should be ready to exert the needed political will to make adjustments that are in agreement with realities on the ground for sustainable economic growth and development.