Effective Media Involvement in Flood Disaster Management in Nigeria Pressing Problems and Recommendations

The purpose of this paper is to identify and recommend solutions to pressing problems facing journalists and disaster managers in performing their roles in disaster risk reduction. Media and disaster management organisations play a crucial role in disaster management. Both disseminate information to the public about natural and man – made disasters. The frequency, magnitude and scale of destruction of flood in the recent time have been a source of concern to stakeholders. It was agreed that collaboration of stakeholders can reduce the risk of flood. However, research suggests that the relationship between journalists, disaster management organisations and other stakeholders need improvement. To assist in identifying the problems hindering effective collaboration, 16 informants were interviewed. The informants comprise media men from two leading national newspapers and disaster managers from four government–owned disaster management organisations in Nigeria. The interviews were analysed using NVIVO 10 software. Findings show that the duo interact less before disaster occurrence while relationship during and after disaster occurrence is largely fraught with distrust, tension, fighting, blaming and other crisis. There is inadequate coordination, collaboration and communication among journalists and disaster managers before disaster occurrence. This paper recommends that media need to be effectively cultivated as one of the critical publics of disaster management organisations. Media too should see self as stakeholder not an ordinary participant. A functional relationship with the media before flood disaster strikes would be of great benefit to stakeholders and national development.

Keywords: Disaster Management, Flood Disaster Risk Reduction, Media Relations; Media; Involvement