This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, and Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, have emphasized the role of media in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has exposed the deep inequalities that exist globally. Media reports have helped reveal the disproportionate impact of the virus on poorer communities, either through infection or loss of livelihoods.
According to the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, achieving the SDGs will ease global anxieties, provide a better life for women and men, and build a firm foundation for stability and peace in all societies. However, Africa is likely to miss out on the time-bound targets in key sectors, including health, education, employment, energy, infrastructure, and the environment, if the current pace of change continues.
The media can play a critical role in amplifying sustainable development in Africa by raising public awareness and pushing policymakers into action. By explaining the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, the media can help develop easily understandable narratives to raise public support. This, in turn, can help galvanize civil society, business, international bodies, regional organizations, and individuals to take action towards achieving the SDGs.
As Siddharth Chatterjee, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya, notes, the media in Africa is a stakeholder in the achievements of the SDGs. By supporting the media and enlisting their help, we can work towards economic, environmental, and social justice across the world.
With rapid mobile penetration in Africa, there are unparalleled opportunities for content sharing on digital platforms. However, the lack of affordable internet connections and poor connectivity remains a challenge. Nevertheless, mobile technology is a powerful enabler across many sectors, and the media can play a critical role in harnessing its potential to amplify sustainable development in Africa.
As the world's problems are the world's responsibility, solving them is a collective effort. If Africa fails to achieve Agenda 2030, the implications will be felt across the planet through conflict, migration, population growth, and climate catastrophe. Therefore, it is essential that the media in Africa is supported and enlisted to help achieve the SDGs.
