Broadcast Media and Flood Disaster Management in Nigeria: A Conceptual Review

Abstract

Flood disasters have become one of the most persistent environmental challenges confronting Nigeria, causing significant loss of lives, displacement of populations, destruction of infrastructure, and disruption of socio-economic activities. Despite advances in disaster management practices, communication remains a critical component of effective flood risk reduction and response. This conceptual review examines the role of broadcast media, particularly radio and television, in flood disaster management in Nigeria. Drawing on the Social Responsibility Theory, the paper explores how broadcast media facilitate disaster preparedness, emergency response, public education, and post-disaster recovery. The review argues that broadcast media serve as essential intermediaries between scientific institutions, emergency management agencies, policymakers, and vulnerable communities by translating complex environmental information into accessible and actionable messages. However, the effectiveness of Nigerian broadcast media in flood management is constrained by commercialisation, inadequate environmental journalism training, weak institutional collaboration, political interference, and linguistic barriers. The paper further proposes a strategic framework centred on community-based broadcasting, media capacity development, strengthened regulatory mechanisms, and integrated early warning communication systems. The study concludes that achieving sustainable flood disaster management in Nigeria requires the institutional integration of broadcast media into national disaster risk reduction frameworks. Consequently, broadcast media should be repositioned from a reactive information channel to a proactive stakeholder in climate resilience, public safety, and sustainable development.