How the media can save Nigeria
Not too long ago, I was in a commercial bus going from Ilorin to Lagos. I and other passengers encountered some challenges in the motor park before the bus disembarked and this really diminished our vigour for the 5 hours journey. What doused the tension was this debate about football that started before we left Ilorin. From Messi vs Ronaldo to Mourinho vs Guardiola, the argument was unending. Surprisingly, the discussion lasted until we reached Lagos. It was those moments when hours seem like seconds.
However, the length of time for the lively-debate was not a big deal to me but the way they aptly identified the flaws of players, coach and the teams blew my mind. They did not only criticized but also provided possible solutions .They praised, revered and compared past and present heroes of football. For Heaven sake, they never attended any classes in sport. It was just passion made possible by vast media coverage.
Later on, I began to probe myself with some questions. What if the argument of the best between Maradona and Messi transforms into discussions about past and present governments in Nigeria? Or the problems of our political class, the economy, identified and solutions provided? When will the young generation love this country and be part of the solution and not the problem? At what point would we “escape” from the ugly narratives that we have found ourselves in? Or what will be the remedy to the political apathy common among the youths in Nigeria?
Undeniably, we have selfish politicians, corrupt leaders, bad economy, social injustice, insecurity to mention but a few. Nonetheless, the country may continue to suffer if what is only obtainable in the media is information that the people cannot use for reasoned judgement, to make wise decisions in their lives and for Nigeria to rise again. The media need to give us sufficient information, education and entertainment for us to improve on our strength and develop our weakness as individuals and society.
The media are powerful tool that shape the way societies operate through dissemination of information rather than the use of cohesion. They have the capacity to influence our way of thinking and decisions.
Although, the internet is undermining the ideal functions of the media, it is required for the mainstream media to adequately integrate their contents online. The spread of fake news and hate speech has its origin in the non-conventional medium managed by non-professionals. If the mainstream media could totally embrace the integration of old and new media, it will enable them to become more relevant and contribute effectively to our contemporary society which is, in all indications, a digital society.
The roles of the media as the voice of the voiceless, purveyor of information, the Fourth Estate of the realm, and the transmitter of social heritage need to be redefined in this country. Have the media used its “agenda-setting” power to move Nigeria forward or backward? It’s high time the (mainstream) media disseminate messages that will change the people’s negative perspective about Nigeria to positive ones so that Nigerians can truly serve their country with “love, strength and faith”.
Abdulquadri Toyee, Kwara State University, Ilorin