Brands/Products
The Role of Media Monitoring Services in Governance and its Application
By Philip Odiakose
The role of media monitoring services in governance has become increasingly important in today’s rapidly changing media landscape.
With the proliferation of social media and other online channels, decision-makers need to stay up-to-date with public opinion, emerging trends, and media coverage on specific topics or issues.
In this article, we will explore the role of media monitoring services in governance, its applications, and how it contributes to effective decision-making.
Media Monitoring Services and Their Importance
Media monitoring services are tools that track media coverage of specific topics or issues across a range of media sources, including news outlets, social media, and blogs. These services use algorithms and other technologies supported by humans to scan and analyze media content, providing insights into how issues are being discussed and perceived in the media landscape.
The importance of media monitoring services in governance cannot be overstated. Decision-makers need access to timely and accurate information about public sentiment, emerging trends, and media coverage to make informed decisions. Media monitoring services provide a wealth of data that can be analyzed and used to guide decision-making processes.
Applications of Media Monitoring Services in Governance
Media monitoring services have numerous applications in governance, including:
1. Tracking Public Sentiment
One of the primary functions of media monitoring services is to track public sentiment on specific topics or issues. This information is critical for government agencies, political parties, and other organizations that need to understand public opinion and how it may be shifting over time.
For example, P+ Measurement Services was engaged during the 2019 Lagos state election to provide media monitoring services for various political parties to enable them to understand how their messaging resonates with the public and adjust their strategies accordingly. Similarly, government agencies can use media monitoring services to track public opinion on specific policy issues and adjust their messaging and strategies based on the feedback they receive.
2. Crisis Management
Media monitoring services are also valuable tools for crisis management. During a crisis or emergency, decision-makers need to stay up-to-date with media coverage, identify potential risks and threats, and respond quickly to changing situations.
Media monitoring services can help officials stay informed about the evolving media landscape during a crisis, allowing them to make data-driven decisions and respond quickly to emerging issues. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations engaged P+ Measurement Services to provide timely and tailored media coverage of the virus and its impact on different states in Nigeria, providing valuable insights that informed government responses.
3. Policy Development
Media monitoring services can also provide decision-makers with valuable insights into public debates, stakeholder opinions, and emerging issues, which can inform policy development and decision-making.
For example, media monitoring services can help government agencies track media coverage of specific policy issues and identify key stakeholders and influencers in the public debate. This information can then be used to engage with stakeholders and influencers and shape policy development based on their feedback.
4. Public Relations
Media monitoring services can also be used to manage the public image of government agencies, political parties, and other organizations. By tracking media coverage and identifying opportunities for positive coverage or potential reputational risks, decision-makers can adjust their messaging and strategies to maintain a positive public image.
For example, media monitoring services can be used to track media coverage of a government agency’s activities and identify opportunities for positive coverage or potential reputational risks. This information can then be used to adjust messaging and strategies to maintain a positive public image.
Media Monitoring Services and Effective Decision-Making
Media monitoring services play a critical role in effective decision-making in governance. By providing decision-makers with timely and accurate information about public sentiment, emerging trends, and media coverage, these services enable data-driven decision-making processes.
Decision-makers can use media monitoring services to identify emerging issues, track public sentiment, and stay up-to-date with media coverage, allowing them to make informed decisions. By incorporating media monitoring services into their decision-making processes, decision-makers can respond more quickly to emerging issues, shape public opinion, and maintain a positive public image.
Philip Odiakose is the Chief Insights Consultant at P+ Measurement Services, a Media Intelligence Consultancy in Lagos state, Nigeria.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The chief executive of Canal+ Africa, Mr David Mignot, has disclosed that MultiChoice is now fully integrated into the media group.
Mr Mignot disclosed this via a statement issued on Thursday, noting that this development marks a new phase in the evolution of one of Africa’s leading pay television operators.
He noted that the integration positions MultiChoice within a global media organisation with an extensive international footprint.
“MultiChoice is now a full subsidiary of a truly international media group operating in 70 countries. The group was founded in France, is listed in London and Johannesburg, and has a strong African presence with operations in more than 45 countries,” Mr Mignot said.
The statement underscores the scale of the combined business, highlighting Canal+’s global reach alongside its significant investments across Africa.
The completion of the transaction is expected to strengthen MultiChoice’s position in the African media and entertainment market by giving it access to the broader resources, expertise and international capabilities of the Canal+ Group, while reinforcing the group’s commitment to the continent.
MultiChoice operates across sub-Saharan Africa through platforms including DStv and GOtv, serving millions of subscribers with entertainment, sports and news content.
By Adedapo Adesanya
FoodCourt, a Nigerian cloud kitchen startup backed by Y Combinator, has suspended operations after months of unpaid salaries and mounting debts to vendors triggered a staff strike and forced the company to halt customer orders, according to a report by TechCabal.
The publication reported that customers first noticed on March 4 that they could no longer place orders through the FoodCourt app after the company disabled ordering as kitchen workers, delivery personnel and branch staff embarked on strike over unpaid wages. The company also owed outstanding payments to vendors.
By April 19, FoodCourt had temporarily shut its last operating branch after suspending activities across its Lagos and Abuja locations while seeking fresh funding and restructuring the business, according to the report.
The company’s chief executive, Mr Henry Nneji, said the decision to pause operations was not caused by a single issue but by a combination of operational, organisational and working-capital challenges.
“It’s important to clarify that the decision to pause operations wasn’t driven by one single issue. We reached a point where it became clear that continuing to patch those issues while operating wasn’t the right long-term decision,” he said.
“The objective is to build a stronger business than the one that existed before the suspension. We fully intend to bring FoodCourt back,” he added in an emailed response.
The company acknowledged outstanding obligations to employees, vendors, riders and service providers, but declined to disclose the number of affected workers or the total amount owed. It said efforts were underway to resolve the liabilities as part of its restructuring process.
It was also reported that the startup’s financial difficulties worsened after expansion into additional locations increased operating costs, while its cloud kitchen model came under pressure from rising labour, logistics, food and marketing expenses.
Despite the shutdown, Mr Nneji said FoodCourt intends to relaunch after completing its restructuring, adding that the company believes demand for its products remains strong.
Founded in 2021 by Henry Nneji and Paul Adokiye Iruene, FoodCourt operates cloud kitchens under multiple virtual restaurant brands through its consumer app. According to TechCabal, the startup had previously disclosed raising $1.7 million, delivering more than one million meals and reaching $4.3 million in annual recurring revenue by the end of 2024.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
To further reinforce its commitment to continuous enhancement of customer experience through menu innovation and quality improvements, Chicken Republic, Nigeria’s leading quick-service restaurant brand and a flagship brand of Food Concepts Plc, has improved its Smokey Jollof recipe across restaurants nationwide.
As a customer-centric brand, Chicken Republic regularly evaluates consumer feedback, dining trends, and product performance to ensure its menu continues to deliver the quality and value to which customers have become accustomed.
The updated Smokey Jollof is part of this ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.
The refreshed recipe represents the latest evolution of one of the brand’s most popular offerings.
Developed with a focus on richer flavour, greater consistency and an even more satisfying eating experience, the improved Smokey Jollof reflects Chicken Republic’s dedication to meeting the evolving tastes and expectations of its customers.
“At Chicken Republic, our customers are at the heart of every decision we make. We are constantly listening, learning and looking for ways to improve the experience we deliver.
“The improved Smokey Jollof is a reflection of that commitment. We’ve refined the recipe to deliver an even richer, more enjoyable taste experience while maintaining the flavour profile our customers know and love,” the Managing Director of Food Concept, Mr Olumide Aniyikaiye, stated.
“Great brands evolve with their consumers. This update is not about changing what people love, but about making it even better.
“We are confident that customers will enjoy the improved recipe and appreciate the attention we continue to invest in delivering quality meals every day,” Mr Aniyokaiye added.
The improved Smokey Jollof is now available at Chicken Republic outlets nationwide, allowing customers to experience a more flavourful and consistent version of a fan-favourite menu item.
This latest enhancement underscores Chicken Republic’s broader commitment to innovation, quality and creating memorable meal experiences for customers across Nigeria.
