Problems And Prospects Of Government Owned Broadcasting Media In Nigeria

This study is titled problems and prospects of government owned broadcasting media in Nigeria. For the purpose of this study, total questionnaires of Four Hundred (400) were distributed and were returned. The research work is made of five chapters. Chapter one deals with introductions, which discusses the purpose of the study, statement of the problem and objectives of the study. Chapter two focuses on the literature review and which present the theoretical review on the project topic. Chapter three also deals with research methodology, research design, characteristics of the study population, sample size, data collection instrument and data analysis procedure. Chapter four based on analysis, demography of respondents, responses of respondent and analysis. Chapter five, which is the concluding chapter, will be summary of findings, recommendation and conclusion.

Introduction

1.1 Background of Study

Broadcasting and the electronic media are the vehicle through which diverse audiences get abreast with the happenings in the society, especially in this era of globalization. Akpan, (2002, p.3) made this fact more explicit when he described broadcasting as the systematic dissemination of entertainment, information, educational and other features for simultaneous reception by a scattered audience individually or in group Electronic media are known for their immediacy of impact, their potentially wider reach, and their ability to transcend the banners of literacy and education to a particularly diverse audience. Thus, Abubakar (1993, p.183) succinctly notes that, "the electronic media refer only to radio and televisions. These forms of mass media reach millions of people simultaneously and with immediacy..." Moreover, the electronic media have also emerged as the most powerful tools for influencing the direction of public opinion in any modern society (Izuora 1993, p.190). Ezeokoli, (1993, p.201) reaffirms that television (broadcasting) is by far the most potent medium, because of the immediacy and intimacy of it transmission. It is also, therefore, why Odetoyinbo (2001, p.2) posits that broadcasting has been found to be a force to be reckoned with in the development of nations all over the world. It presupposes that broadcasting is a bridge building tool for development. It suffices to say that to realize these tasks, there must be ownership of media. Media ownership was hitherto left in the hands of governments, state and federal. In 1977, the Federal Military Government took over all television broadcasting stations in Nigeria and placed them under the authority of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA). Powerful short wave radio stations were also taken over and placed under the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). This gave strong influence on government as the sole transmitter of signals to diverse audiences in the country. During this period, the government dictated what went on air and how. There was however a turn of events in 1992 as broadcasting was deregulated via promulgation of Decree 38 by the then military government headed by General Ibrahim Babaginda. It was called Decree 38, 24 August, 1992 of the Federal Military Government, Gazette extraordinary No.33:1992. This gave birth to the broadcasting commission which was empowered to act as a guide to broadcast outfits. Nwanze (2003, p.9) said they were to, among other things, advise the Federal Military Government generally on the implementation of the National Mass Communication Policy, with particular reference to broadcasting; regulating and controlling the broadcast industry. No doubt, the government owned media outfits are bedeviled with such problems as the continuous use of out-dated equipment, thereby failing to catch up with the changes of globalization which are known for modernity: the non-availability of training and retraining opportunities, which is the bedrock for enhanced productivity; poor remuneration for staff, thereby having low motivation to perform optimally and above all, the tele-guidance of management and staff by their employers -Government, hence only projecting the activities of government with little or no regard for their responsibility to the public. These seeming problems, invariably, are likely to truncate information dissemination, thereby leading to starving the populace of the information they require and putting question marks on the media social responsibility functions. Thus, the need arises for proper evaluation and assessment of these problems and exploration of the prospects of the government owned broadcasting media amidst Nigeria. It is, therefore, against this backdrop that this study is focused or derives its aim with emphasis on Nigeria Television Authority and Radio Broadcasting Cooperation of Abia State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Managing and formulating policies have been a serious problem of government owned broadcasting stations. However, there are several other problems that need to be addressed in the system. These are;

Inadequate policy to guard the operation of the stations owned and managed by the government.

Poor management of public broadcasting institutions.

Change in government policies as a result of political instability.

The lack of devoted staffs who are always dedicated to their jobs.

Therefore, if the above problems are not taken care of, it may lead to a total destruction of the public broadcasting service.

1.3 Objectives of Study

The objectives of this studyare as follows:

To identify the challenges faced by government owned broadcasting media

To ascertain the prospects of government owned broadcasting media in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Questions

Based on the above mentioned objectives, this study will be guided by the following research questions:

What are the challenges faced by government owned broadcasting media in Nigeria?

What are the prospects of government owned broadcast media in Nigeria?

1.5 Significance of Study

This study is significant in the following ways:-

It will help the researcher understand how media practitioners in government owned media operate

It would serve as a mirror for the media practitioners in government owned media to see clearly where they need to make adjustments so as to carry out their social responsibility functions better without compromise.

It would contribute to existing literatures on this topic as it would give researchers opportunity to read and make reference to when discussing issues concerning media ownership and its challenges in Nigeria.

It would propel further researches on how government can enhance effectiveness of broadcasting pattern in Nigeria

It would also provoke further research on comparative study on the effectiveness of Public owned broadcasting media as contemporary private owned media.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The public media exist in Nigeria, like their private counterparts with problems starring them on their faces. Even though, the government media outfits exist under the cover and protection of the government, they still are not free from problems which impede their growth and development. The scope of this research borders on the challenges and prospect of government owned media in Abia State using Nigeria Television Authority (Aba branch) and Radio Broadcasting Cooperation of Umuahia as a Case Study.

1.7 Limitation of Study

There are few factors that posed as a constrained for the researcher while carrying out this study. This include: time constraint, financial constraint and unwillingness of staff to give out information

Time Constraint:

This factor posed a limitation to the study as the time framework designated to carry out this research was incompatible with other academic work. The researcher had paid undivided attention and multitasked in other tidy up this research.

Financial Constraint:

This factor posed as another challenge as finance was not available for the researcher to be mobilized to carry out this research.

Unwillingness of Staffs to give out information

Regarding to unwillingness characterized with public owned media staffs, it was difficult to ascertain detailed information as they were cold in responding to the questionnaires tendered to them thus a holistic data could not be retrieved.

1.8 Definition of Terms:

Broadcasting:

Broadcasting is the distribution of audio or video content to a dispersed audience via any electronic mass communications medium

Media:

These refer to radio, television, newspapers and magazines that are used inthe dissemination of information to a large and heterogonous audience.

Government:

Group of people who are responsible for controlling a country orstate.

Government Media:

These refers to government-owned television, radio channels or station.

Problem:

A difficulty, constrain that is capable of hindering the success of a course

Prospect:

This is/are possible solutions that when applies can speed up the success of a course

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings into the "problems and prospect of Government owned broadcasting media in Nigeria". The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, recommendations and suggestions for further studies.

5.2 Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was to examine the problem and prospect of government owned broadcasting media in Nigeria. The study examined challenges and prospects of Nigeria Television Authority (Aba branch) and Radio Broadcasting Cooperation of Abia State. The study adopted the survey research design. The population size is the entire staffs Nigeria Television Authority and Radio Broadcasting Cooperation of Abia State. While one Federal Government Owned Television and one State Government Owned Radio station were randomly selected as the sample size of the population. In all 400 respondents were used as the sample size. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency and percentage.

5.3 Conclusions

Based on the finding of this study, the following conclusions were made:

Government Owned Broadcasting media are bedeviled with crucial challenges unlike their private counterparts

That there are significant irregularities characterized by Government owned broadcasting media in serving their social responsibilities

Bureaucratic bottlenecked and administrative mismanagement on the part of government hinders the effectiveness of government owned media.

That low motivation of staffs, poor staff strength and poor working conditions lower the morale of Staff performance in government owned broadcasting media

That technical backwardness and lack of development oriented programmes by government owned broadcasting media makes the masses to choose tuning into private owned media which has a direct effect on the Government owned media

5.4 Recommendations

Based on the responses obtained, the researcher proffers the following recommendations:

Government should revamp their broadcasting media by adequately funding it

Government owned media should be structured to serve social interest not used for partisan politics and selfish interest.

Government should improve the working conditions of staffs and ensure regular training are been done.

Government should employ the younger people who are creative and innovative to enhance development oriented programs.

Government should procure digital technologies and media equipment in this era of technological inventions.

Government should improve policies, regulation and practices guiding media professionals and journalism.

5.5 Suggestion for further studies

The main focus of this study was to examine the problems and prospect of government owned broadcasting media in Abia State. The researcher therefore suggests for further research be conducted in their government owned media across the country.

Preliminary Page(s)

Title Page

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Table of Content

List of Tables

Abstract

Chapter One:

Introduction

1.1 Background of the study

1.2 Statement of the problem

1.3 Objective of the study

1.4 Research Questions

1.6 Significance of the study

1.7 Definition of terms

Chapter Two:

Review of Literature

2.1 Review of concepts

2.2 Theoretical Framework

2.3 Review of Empirical studies

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design

3.2 Population of the study

3.3 Sample size determination

3.4 Sample size selection technique and procedure

3.5 Research Instrument and Administration

3.6 Method of data collection

3.7 Method of data analysis

3.8 Validity and Reliability of the study

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation

4.2 Answering Research Questions

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendation

References

Appendix

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