Role Of Media In The FACE Of Economic Challenges

Role Of Media In The PHASE Of Economic Challenges

By Chikezie Chinkata

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

To this end, so much is expected of the professionals and all stakeholders in the media industry towards ensuring that the hope of the masses in this regard is not frustrated.

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 need 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 to go very much higher than envisaged, it is very important for information managers at different levels to begin to enlighten the people on measures that could help pacify the public instead of exclaiming the fearful trends in the cost of living always.

Though it is the duty of the media to ensure that the people are informed about the true positions of things in the society, and government policies, however, the implications of the continued highlights on the painful economic situations 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.

This should also be applied even in disseminating information regarding the current economic situation in the country as this can be resolved with better information management framework championed by the media and concerted effort by government at all levels to see that the standard of living of the people is improved.

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

At this point it is imperative for the media to 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 has triggered high inflationary rates.

Unrealistic and violent approaches would rather damage the image of the country instead of uplifting the people.

Government on its part should be ready to exert the needed political will to make adjustments that are in line with the realities on ground for sustainable economic growth and development.

Edited By Grace Namiji