BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The evolution of communication into what it is now has taken place over a period of many centuries. The sophisticated and complex nature of human communication in the modern world is the product of a very long and sustained effort by human beings to improve one of the most fundamental aspects of their existence. This effort was made over a very long period of time and has been maintained over a very long period of time (Adibe, 2021).
Therefore, in reference to this progression, the McBride commission has stated that, "As the world has advanced the task of communication has become even more complex. In explaining this complexity, McBride and his colleagues (McBride et al, 1981, P.3) have the following to say: "throughout history, human beings sought to improve their ability to receive and assimilate information about their surroundings at the same time to increase the speed, clarity, and variety of their methods for transmitting information (Okunna, 1994 Page 1-2). Therefore, following the assertion made above, it is possible to propose that the beginning of the media and its responsibility to disseminate information, most importantly in the context of Nigeria, dates back to the era of the early press in the years 1800-1929. This assertion can be supported by the fact that the above assertion was made. It was the very first time that a newspaper with the name "Iwe Irohin" was published anywhere in the country (Eze, & Akunna 2021).
On the other hand, the evolution of the Nigerian press may be strictly divided into three stages, which are as follows: from 1800 to 1920 (the Early press), 1927 to 1960 (the National press), and 1960 to the present (Modern or Contemporary press). These were considered to be in the correct sequence according to the chronology of the development of print media (Ibid 2021).
As a result, the Presbyterian Mission opened Calabar's first printing school in the year 1940. The objective of this endeavor was to raise the overall level of literacy among the population at the time. Reverend Henry Townsend, an Anglican Missionary, installed a second printing press and a printing school within the mission property in Abeokuta in the year 1845. (Adibe, 2021). Five years later, in 1859, Reverend Townsend took the initiative to launch the first newspaper in the Egba and Yoruba languages. He titled it "Iwe Irohin fun awon era Egba at Yoruba," which translates to "newspaper for the people of Egba and Yoruba" (Eze, & Akunna 2021). Reverend Townsend's primary objective in launching the newspaper was to expand the reading culture of the Egba and Yoruba people in order to inspire a desire to learn how to read and write among those populations. In addition to this, he want to begin practicing Christian stewardship by making an influence on education and literacy. Iwe Irohin was also a powerful political instrument that was used against the British administration. As a result, the general populace was educated on the necessity of understanding why the British needed to leave (Adibe, 2021).
At the same time that the newspaper was generating a lot of buzz and being subjected to many different kinds of criticism, another publication was also launched by the Anglo West India, Robert Campbell. In the year 1863, he follows Iwe Irohin up with Anglo African. It was printed in Lagos and the surrounding states. Campbell's goal in launching the newspaper was to capitalize on the growing interest in Western education and enlightenment in Lagos state in the year 1860 by making materials that were affordable and easily accessible. These materials were intended to educate, inform, and entertain the newspaper's readership. It was the first newspaper in the nation to provide another side of the story, and it competed openly with Iwe Irohin, making it the country's first open competitor (Eze, & Akunna 2021).
After then, in the years 1803-1883, Richard Beale Blaiz launched the Lagos Time and Gold Coast Colony Advertiser. The name of the newspaper reflected the fact that Gold Coast and Lagos were serving as co-administrators at the time. As a result, newspaper publishing continued over the years, and Zik launched the West African Pilot, which is still in operation to this day. It is vital to mention at this point that, from the time of the early press up till the present day, the media has been performing an enormous function in order to repair the deteriorating and backward-progressing status of Nigerian society. This is something that should be noted.
It's interesting to note that as the year progressed, there was a significant breakthrough in the broadcast medium. Radio and television came into being, which caused a significant shift in the way information was disseminated. Radio as a mode of communication is based on the utilization of electro-magnetic waves that are transmitted through space at the speed of light. Radio messages were first received in Nigeria in 1932 through the empire service of the British Broadcasting Commission (BBC). Radio waves are transmitted through space. During this time period, prospective radio owners sent their transmissions through their sets, which were linked and connected to the post office. In 1936, radio transmission was pioneered in Nigeria with the launch of the Radio Distribution service (RDS), which allowed for the city of Lagos to become the first location in which transmissions were broadcast. The show that was being broadcast at this time had a low content of Nigerian or coral products, which was one of its features.
By 1948, there were 10 "Wire" Wireless stations around the country, and they provided service to approximately 80,000 customers. This continued till the first television set was introduced in Nigeria in the year 1956. A sizeable delegation from the BBC traveled with Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Nigeria in those same years. The BBC installed television screens outside the assembly so that those who were not inside the gallery of the house could observe what was taking place within. In terms of television transmission across Africa, Nigeria is often regarded as the continent's pioneering nation. Despite this, television broadcasting in Nigeria got its start as a direct result of the fierce political and ethnic competition that existed at the time. According to some accounts, the first television station in Nigeria was located in Ibadan and went by the name Western Nigeria television (WNTV). Given that television was introduced toward the end of the era of colonial rule in Nigeria, it is easy to deduce that the colonial masters did not make extensive use of the medium during their time in power. At the time when Chief Obafemi Awolowo formed the WNTV, this was already in existence. It was said that he had permission to access the government-owned national broadcasting commission (NBC) so that he could respond to the accusation of act of perfidy leveled against him by the actual grievance that eventually gave rise to regional Broadcasting dates back to 1953. He did this so that he could respond to the allegation of act of perfidy leveled against him by the actual grievance.
Between the years 1953 and 1960, Eastern Nigeria Television (ENTV) was put into operation. Subsequently, in April 1962, the federal government of Nigeria launched the Nigeria television service on channel 10 Lagos. T.O.S. Benson served as the station's director during this time. Following the conclusion of the country's civil war, there was a notable expansion in the amount of television programming available. As of 1972, almost every one of the twelve states that made up the federation had their very own television station. The next year, 1976, saw an increase in the number of stations to nineteen. In 1977, a body known as the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) was founded with the purpose of operating independently. NTA was given charge over television broadcasting in Nigeria; however, the 1979 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria removed the exclusive power of the NTA in television broadcasting in Nigeria later on. NTA was first given charge over television broadcasting in Nigeria. The constitution, on the other hand, made it possible for various state governments, organizations, or even private individuals to build and run broadcasting and stations so long as they had authorization from the president (Okunna 1993, page 55).
At this point, it can be argued that right from the first day the mass media emerged in Nigeria, starting with the print media, the media have been playing the watch dog role in the society, performing a number of functions which benefit the individual as a member of the society. This role dates back to the very first day of the mass media's existence in Nigeria (Ibid 2021). These range from "serious" information and educational functions to "higher" functions such as entertainment, information, dissemination, education, advertising, socialization, promotion of culture, motivation, mobilization, and integration. These "serious" functions include information and education (Ibid 2021). They also play the function of agenda setting, which is based on matters that are contentious in nature. In this case, it is the mass media that establish the political agenda for the society by determining what political themes people talk about, etc. NTA, being one of the media organizations, has of the mass media to the audience, such as elections, child abuse, kidnapping, the issue of flooding, crime, war, fire disaster, conflict, and fuel subsidy, among other things; also print media, such as newspapers, magazines, journals, and books are not left out (Ibid 2021).
But suffice it to say that there are some challenges on the part of the media in using all of these channels listed above to send information, which in turn makes the actualization of the noble dream stressful. Even NTA, which is a government-owned channel, has its own shortcomings in the area of effectively playing its roles. It is subject to the whims and caprices of the political leaders and the government, Albert; it has been enslaved to their control (Adibe, 2021).
The Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and other media organizations have another obstacle in the form of inadequate infrastructure facilities, which further reduces their influence. According to Sobowale (1989: page 304), who is cited in Okunna (1994: page 36), who made this observation with reference to Nigeria, such fundamental infrastructural facilities as roads and transport system are in a pitiful state of development; as a result, the work of media practitioners in gathering information is restricted. One may also examine the current condition of technical
expansion and advances in communication technology; as a result of these factors, successful work in the media has become increasingly challenging (Eze, & Akunna 2021).
In conclusion, it has been brought to our attention with due respect that the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) has been distributing information to the general populace. However, at the same time, it has shown in some fashion or another the difficulties it has in carrying out its responsibilities. In spite of all the odds, the results of this research study will undoubtedly bring about change (Eze, & Akunna 2021).
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