PRIVATIZATION AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF ELECTRONIC MEDIA IN NIGERIA
- Project Research
- 1-5 Chapters
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- Recommended for : Student Researchers
- NGN 3000
Background of the Study
Broadcasting in Nigeria, entered a new era with the decision of the federal government is allow private ownership of radio and television stations after more than 50 years of its advent in Nigeria.
Privatization is the process which government either partly or wholly transfers equity investment of ownership in a business enterprise to private investors.
Commercialization, on the other hand is defined as the reorganization of enterprises such that they could operate enterprises wholly or partially owned by the federal government without relying on government subvention.
It could be recalled that since the advent of radio and television in 1932 and 1959 respectively, government had hitherto reserved its ownership to either state or federal government.
Radio broadcasting started in 1932, when re-diffusion services began in Nigeria. This re-diffusion started in Lagos with the distribution of programmes, which originated from the British Broadcasting co-operation (BBC) in London. This was part of the overseas services of the BBC. From the Lagos studio, the programmes were distributed to various listening boxes when subscribers who had paid a small subscription fee for this purpose received them.
Because of the popularity of this system, it was eventually expanded to include stations outside Lagos, Abeokuta, Calabar, Enugu, Ibadan, Ijebu-ode, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Horcourt and Zaria. When in 1951 and 1952 the Nigerian Broad casting service (NBS) was established by the federal government and the major re-diffusion stations were converted into fully operational stations, radio had finally arrived in Nigeria.
Unlike radio which began in Nigeria through federal government initiative, television broadcasting began in the country through regional initiative. This was in October 1959 when the government of the former Western Region started the first television service in both Nigeria and Africa- the Western Nigerian television (WNTV). The following year, on 1st October 1960, the former Eastern Region followed the example of the West by establishing the Eastern Nigeria Television (ENTV) in Enugu.
The federal government got round to establishing its own television service when it started the Nigeria television service (NTS) in partnership with the NBC- International of America, in April 1962 in Lagos. In the same year, the government of the former Northern region also started its own television service called Radio Television Kaduna (RTV). The regional government and a British television company jointly owned this.
The federal government television which was under a management agreement with an American company, continued and was confined to the federal capital, and soon came under the Nigerian Broadcasting co-operation, (NBC) when the management contract with the American was determined.
The advent of television brought in its wake a new dimension to broadcasting in Nigeria. The creation of states in Nigeria meant that the new state administrations could set-up television networks in their states.
The former government of the mid-Western state in 1973 went ahead by establishing the Mid-Western Television (MTV) now NTA Benin, Benue plateau television (BPTV) followed in 1974.
In 1975, the federal military government announced its intention to take over all television stations in the country. It then set-up machinery within the federal ministry of information to give effect to this plans.
At this time, ten stations-Ibadan, Enugu, Kaduna, Lagos, Benin, Jos, Port-Harcourt, Kano, Sokoto and Owerri (Aba) in that order, had been set-up.
The Nigerian television authority was finally inaugurated in May, 1977. Although Decree 24 or 1077, which established it, was promulgated in March 1077 but took effort from April 1976. By that Decree, the NTA became the only body empowered to undertake television broadcasting in the country. Indeed, the federal government had began to fund all the stations from April 1, 1976, when networking of news also commenced on Nigerian Television, vea domestic satellite (Domstat). By December 1978, there were scheduled broadcast from every state capital in the country.
Between 1959 and June, 1992 broadcasting organizations had been part and parcel of public service. The industry was subjected to high degree of control and interference by the government and was used as public service instrument designed to propagate government activities- the broadcasting stations were, therefore, committed to giving air time to government agencies which have no commercial value.
This monopoly of government ownership of the electronic media was sustained due to the following assumptions. Among them was the argument put forward by a one-time information minister, prince Tony Momsh, that privatization and commercialization is likely to affect the unity of the nation as well as our national security.
Again Chief Alex Akinyele, also a one-time information minister said that since Nigerians were not starved of information by reason of the non-existence of such private electronic media, it could not be said to constitute a priority for the common man. He feels rather very strongly that “private television/radio is patently dangerous” and that it is a costly diversion.
Furthermore, there has also been the supposition that Nigeria is not ripe enough to own private electronic media.
But the advantages of a privatized media outweigh that of government ownership. This ranges from broadcasting service characterized by high degree of aggressiveness, pragmaticism, expansionism and technical competence to placing top priority on the generation of more revenue maximization of profit and be in a comfortable position to execute its programmes.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Nigeria has since 1992, seen a proliferation of electronic media stations, from privately owned television stations such as AIT, Channels, Silverbird, DITV, TVC, etc., to a significantly higher number of privately owned radio stations, mostly FM stations established across the country. Most urban centres in Nigeria today have several FM stations competing for the attention of the same audience. Nigeria today operates about 510 radio stations nationwide, both public but mostly private. Lagos alone has 39 radio stations, while Abuja and Kaduna have 26 radio stations each. Raypower Radio, for example, is a private radio network that operate FM stations in almost all 36 states of the Nigerian federation. After some twenty-eight years since the law that allows private radio and television to be established, this study aims to find out the nature of that journey. The specific questions the study intends to answer are two; (i) whether the privatized media mix has resulted in improved media contribution to the quality of information and general content; as well as (ii) whether the privatized media in Nigeria have contributed positively towards national development.
1.3 Objective of the study
It has often been argued and rightly too, that free market of ideas and free press are veritable instruments of democracy.
Nigeria, a country in search of democracy cannot ignore privatizing and commercializing of its broadcasting media, which will help them to achieve democracy.
It is hoped that the newly privatized and commercialized media will bridge the gap in information dissemination and quicken the country’s return to civil rule.
Our prime objective is to critically examine the operations, aspirations and achievements of the privatized and commercialized media so far.
We intend to know whether they will allay the fears of those against this idea by working with the NBC guidelines.
In this study we intend also to get the general opinion of the audience and the importance of privatization and commercialization of electronic media. Taking into consideration, the socio-political atmosphere prevalent in the country.
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions will be answered in this study:
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What is the extent of electronic media privatization and commercialization in Nigeria?
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Have the privatized and commercialized media worked with the NBC guidelines?
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What is the importance of privatization and commercialization of electronic media in the country?
1.5 Significance of the study
Because of its importance and sensitive nature, many Nigerians both within and outside the country had through writing and critical discussions, expressed their feelings with regards to the need for a fully privatized and commercialized broadcasting media in the country.
Many Nigerians are of the opinion that a privatized media will ginger competition in the industry, thereby breaking the long government’s monopolistic hold on it.
Peter Enahoro a veteran journalist and publisher in one of his classical write-ups in the dailies made a clarion call that this nation is due for a fully privatized and commercialized private media. He was of the idea that information management and dissemination should not be the exclusive preserve of the government.
He maintained that privatizing the broadcast media would provide avenues for cross-informational flow but would also boost the already battered broadcast industry as well as helping to interpret Nigeria and Africa to the world and vice versa.
However, some of our ex-information ministers had strongly opposed this idea. Among them are prince Tony Momoh and Alex akinyele.
Prince Tony Momoh in his contribution posited that it would most likely affect the unity of this nation as well as our national security. His immediate successor, chief Alex Akinyele argued that privatization and commercialization of electronic media is “patently dangerous”! And that it is a costly diversion”2. Just to name a few.
The study of this topic is very important and because of its newness we intend to highlight on some of those benefits likely to accrue to the industry, the country, the broadcast professionals and we shall equally X-ray the suitable atmosphere under which the industry can thrive.
It is therefore, our hope that through this work, we will help the audience, the authorities and proprietors of the privatized media; understand the need for a vibrant and promising electronic media.
1.6 Scope of the study
This study will be focused on Minaj System’s Television (Mst) Obosi Anambra State.
1.7 Limitation of the study
The researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing that credible election discourse is vast thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. Thus findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for other states within Nigeria. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work will impede maximum devotion to the research. Howbeit, despite the constraint encountered during the research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful.
1.8 Definition of terms
Media: In communication, media are the communication outlets or tools used to store and deliver content. The term generally refers to components of the mass media communications industry, such as print media, publishing, the news media, photography, cinema, broadcasting, digital media, and advertising.
Broadcasting Media: The term 'broadcast media' covers a wide spectrum of different communication methods such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines and any other materials supplied by the media and press.
Electronic media: Electronic media are media that use electronics or electromechanical means for the audience to access the content. This is in contrast to static media, which today are most often created digitally, but do not require electronics to be accessed by the end user in the printed form.
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