Activism Meets Journalism: Shaping Social Change
By Abdulmalik Magwe Bello
Societies do not develop or transform overnight, nor do governments necessarily act simply because a problem exists. More often than not, change begins when someone decides that an issue can no longer be ignored.
This is where activism becomes important. In communication theory, this process is closely associated with agenda-setting: the media may not always tell people what to think, but it can significantly influence what they think about. When grassroots activism is combined with responsible journalism, this dynamic can become a powerful instrument for social progress, accountability and good governance.
At its core, activism draws attention to the fault lines within society. It is the resident documenting a collapsed bridge, the student challenging an inadequate policy, the community leader demanding better healthcare, or the citizen calling attention to neglected infrastructure.
Yet, individual passion often struggles to break through the noise of everyday life. A social media post or local complaint can easily disappear without a wider platform to amplify it.
I experienced this personally in Taraba State in 2021.
At the time, my community was struggling with deplorable roads and damaged bridges. Whenever it rained, movement became extremely difficult. Vehicles and motorcycles could barely navigate some sections, residents were inconvenienced, and economic activities suffered.
Rather than remain silent, I decided to use my Facebook platform to document the situation and draw the attention of the then Taraba State Government under Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku.
I wrote about what residents were experiencing and highlighted the consequences of the deteriorating infrastructure on mobility and local businesses.
Eventually, the government responded.
For me, what followed demonstrated the potential of citizen advocacy. Attention was given to the community’s infrastructure, movement improved and economic activities gradually returned.
The experience taught me an important lesson: sometimes, change begins with someone simply refusing to remain silent about a problem.
But effective activism should go beyond anger. It should document problems accurately, present credible evidence and propose or encourage solutions. Advocacy becomes stronger when those in authority cannot easily dismiss the facts being presented.
There are other examples of citizens using digital platforms to demand accountability.
Abdulmumin Imam, a Taraba-born activist based in Abuja, has become known among sections of the state’s online community for his advocacy around good governance, social justice, accountability and the rights of vulnerable people.
Through Facebook, he regularly raises concerns about government policies and public issues. His interventions illustrate how digital platforms have expanded the space available to ordinary citizens to participate in conversations about governance.
But activism alone is not always sufficient.
When professional media organisations investigate and report a local grievance, the issue can move from being a private complaint to a matter of wider public interest.
That shift changes the power dynamic.
A community may complain about a broken road for years without attracting significant attention. But when journalists independently verify the problem, speak with affected residents, seek the government’s response and place the issue before a larger audience, it becomes more difficult for decision-makers to ignore.
This is where journalism becomes an important partner in social change.
A journalist may not personally reconstruct a road, equip a hospital or fund a community school. But journalism can put those issues firmly on the public agenda.
Read Also:
By asking questions, investigating claims and documenting the experiences of affected people, journalists create the public awareness that can encourage authorities to act.
This does not mean journalism should become activism in disguise.
There must remain an important distinction between the two. An activist advocates a cause; a journalist has a professional responsibility to verify information, provide context, seek different perspectives and report fairly.
Their methods may differ, but their work can complement each other.
Activists can identify neglected problems and mobilise communities, while journalists can independently interrogate those problems and determine whether the evidence supports the claims being made.
When both perform their roles responsibly, society benefits.
The challenge is even greater in today’s digital environment, where speed competes with accuracy and visibility sometimes overshadows integrity.
Anyone with a smartphone can publish allegations within seconds. A hashtag can attract thousands of reactions before the underlying claim has been verified. This creates enormous opportunities for citizen participation, but it also carries risks.
Effective advocacy is not simply about making noise. It is about building a credible case that relevant stakeholders cannot easily dismiss.
An activist who exaggerates facts may attract attention temporarily but ultimately damage the credibility of the cause. Similarly, a journalist who sacrifices verification for sensational headlines may generate traffic while undermining public trust.
Modern communication therefore requires clarity, accuracy, empathy and responsibility.
Before publishing a claim, activists should ask whether it is factual. Journalists should verify before amplifying it. Both should understand that real people and institutions can be affected by what they communicate.
The relationship between grassroots activism and strategic journalism demonstrates that communication is far more than an academic concept.
It can become a catalyst for development.
When citizens document their realities and journalists independently investigate and amplify legitimate concerns, neglected issues can move into the national conversation. Communities that previously struggled to be heard can gain visibility, while public officials are encouraged to explain their decisions and respond to citizens’ needs.
This is the true value of agenda-setting for social development: ensuring that issues affecting ordinary people do not disappear simply because those affected lack political influence.
But this partnership works best when guided by ethics.
Activism without facts can become propaganda. Journalism without verification can become misinformation. Advocacy without responsibility can damage the very causes it seeks to promote.
The goal should not merely be to embarrass governments or make individuals trend on social media. The objective should be to identify problems, demand accountability and encourage solutions that improve people’s lives.
My experience in Taraba reinforced my belief that citizens do not have to occupy public office before they can contribute to development. Sometimes, a photograph, a carefully documented complaint, a verified news report or a persistent question can begin a process that ultimately produces change.
Activism and journalism are therefore important partners in promoting good governance and building a better society.
When citizens speak responsibly and journalists report courageously and accurately, the needs of ordinary people are more likely to remain on the public agenda.
And when those needs remain visible long enough, communication can move beyond creating awareness to inspiring action—and ultimately building a more accountable, sustainable and prosperous society for future generations.
Abdulmalik Magwe Bello can be reached at [email protected]
