Off the radar...

Media headlines have lately almost exclusively focused on two stories. The first story is Libya and Qadaffi’s heavy handed response to demonstrations against his rule; together with the UN Security Council resolution 1973, authorizing a ‘no-fly zone’ over Libya aimed at protecting civilians under attack. The second, Japan’s devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear threat which brought the world to halt as it witnessed one of the wealthiest countries look as vulnerable as some of the poorest.  Few would argue that these horrible situations, one man-made (and hence avoidable), the other a natural disaster are not worthy of media attention. But these are not the only two stories deserving our attention.

A funding shortfall has brought the UN to call the deteriorating situation in Cote d’Ivoire the forgotten humanitarian crisis.  Although Alassane Ouattara has been internationally recognized as the legitimate winner in last November’s presidential elections, Laurent Gbagbo is refusing to relinquish power. There have been a plethora of mediation efforts and although imposed sanctions are starting to bite, the situation remains unresolved. With over half a million people displaced so far, and the violence increasing, the ICC has said they would investigate crimes. The consequences of a worsening situation may be drastic, and few are paying attention.

Other equally important issues, although not necessarily in the same league, have fallen off the media’s radar. The African Union Summit, the G8 Summit in Musoka and the MDG Summit which brought maternal and child health back into the spotlight now seem like distant efforts in the dark. There is probably no greater media fall from grace than climate change -post Copenhagen, although the impacts of climate change are unquestionable. And if we look into the issue of food prices and food security – the root of these problems point to so many other complex problems that it seems like this topic is too much to digest.

We can be grateful for real-time, comprehensive and timely media coverage that helps provide perspectives and facts to help us, and more importantly, our leaders, be better informed and prepared to make decisions. On the other hand, how can we trust that we are in fact getting all the information we need? We know we cannot afford to turn a blind eye on the other crises, and that it is ultimately our responsibility to press for quality coverage.