IMPLICATION OF NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMMISSION RULES AND REGULATION ON AFRICA INDEPENDENT TELEVISION
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IMPLICATION OF NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMMISSION RULES AND REGULATION ON AFRICA INDEPENDENT TELEVISION
ABSTRACT
Different countries use different strategies to regulate broadcasters. This study examined the measures taken by the National Broadcasting Commission in order to determine the influence of regulations on the Nigerian broadcasting system.
To do this, authoritarian and libertarian philosophies served as frameworks. Finally, it was determined that the most common regulatory measures were licensing, punishment, arbitration, and monitoring.
However, it was shown that NBC had a bias against commercial stations in order to safeguard government-owned ones. It was consequently proposed that the Nigerian Broadcasting Code be amended to make the regulating body independent, as well as to encourage pluralism and healthy competition in the business.
Chapter one
1.1 Introduction
According to Harvey (1999, p.1), the study of broadcasting regulation “has started to creep into the edges of the media studies curriculum.” This wind of change should be welcomed since it will help us understand the major forces shaping the communication landscape.
According to Harvey (1999), “literature on media regulation were predominantly produced by legal scholars following Eric Barendt’s comparative study on law” (p.1).
However, globalisation in the face of specialisation demanded investigations into various aspects of society by researchers. That is why media academics must consider concerns relating to media activities.
An assessment of the Nigerian broadcast industry’s regulatory regulations is timely given the global discussion of broadcasting digitisation. According to the deadline established by International
The International Telecommunication Union, or ITU, and every broadcast station in the globe would have converted from analogue to digital transmission. Against this backdrop, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Nigeria’s regulating agency for broadcasting, chose June 2012 as the switchover date (Aihe 2008, p.1).
Several issues have been raised by scholars and others since the announcement. However, the digitisation policy has some advantages, including the predicted increase in the number of broadcast stations and the resulting competition.
This situation, along with other bugging issues, highlight the critical necessity to investigate the Nigerian broadcast industry’s regulatory framework. The quest will undoubtedly increase public understanding while also guiding regulators and stakeholders towards effective broadcasting in the digital age.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF African Independent Television
DAAR Communication did not begin broadcasting operations until 1994, six years after its incorporation. This was owing to legislative initiative in Nigeria’s broadcasting industry; it was not until August 24, 1992, over fifty years after the beginning of broadcasting in Nigeria, that the government issued decree NO 38, which deregulated the ownership of electronic media in the country.
Following this piece of legislation, which ushered in a new age of private ownership of radio and television stations, DAAR Communication sought for a licence for radio, television, and direct transmission by satellite
which was later granted. It began full commercial broadcasting operations on September 1, 1994. Its high-profile radio channel, RAY POWER 100.5, was the first private independent radio station in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
AIT’s target audience is global; it appeals to a wide range of popular tastes, including those looking for authentic and reliable information about the African, Caribbean, and Afro-American experiences. AIT is the natural programming choice.
The station broadcasts quality programming around the clock, linked and redistributed across Africa, the rest of America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The in-depth coverage strives to keep global viewers totally in tune with the soul of an African broadcaster that provides premium quality service.
DAAR Communication Limited’s broadcasting stations are on the air 24 hours a day, and its internet company is also available 24 hours a day. On December 6, 1996, a new star in global satellite broadcasting, AIT channel 21, debuted. It offers a fresh start to TV broadcasting with a unique programming theme that shares the African experience with the larger global community.
It is dedicated to overcoming the gap in global communication that has left Africans at the mercy of Western perspectives, opinions, and masses. AIT’s primary mission is to reflect Africa from a comprehensive African perspective that is untrained, unfiltered, and completely unique; AIT provides the world with a new perspective on African experience.
The management structure allows for autonomy in the operation of the distinct services that comprise the broadcast company RAYPOWER 100.5, RAYPOWER 106.5 FM, AIT, and DAAR INTERNET, with a separate general manager for each of the stations.
The autonomy of the arms is only limited to the extent that they are accountable to a board of management led by the chief operating officer.
1.2 Background of the Study
Radio and television are critical instruments for national development and should thus be used to promote Nigeria’s cultural, economic, and political growth.
As the media uses public airwaves, the media should be used to improve and promote the unity and security of the people and nation.
There is a need for a body to govern their operations, and while the organisation is expected to have control over the broadcasting media, it must at the very least give operating guidelines to prevent media misuse.
On August 24, 1992, then-military president Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida signed decree No. 38, allowing private participation in broadcasting. This was accomplished through the establishment of the national broadcasting Commission.
Decree No. 38 empowered the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to monitor, license, and regulate broadcasting in Nigeria, which is why every mission of sound and vision, whether by cable, television, radio, satellite, or any other medium of broadcasting from anywhere in the country, is subject to its authority.
However, broadcast media, like other forms of mass communication, must strive for national unity and peaceful communication.
Without a national policy that establishes clear standards for other operations, the broadcast media may fail to play an appropriate part in the nation’s growth and development.
This is why a body like NBC is needed, as it is the only chartered organisation with the authority to govern broadcasting in all of its activities. NBC was empowered and designed to carry out the following functions: establishing standards for acceptable content and equality of programmes and non-programmes broadcast in Nigeria;
seizing transmission equipment or withdrawing licenses where necessary if any broadcast media breached the NBC code; upholding the principle of equity and fairness in broadcasting, and immediately establishing broadcasting transmitters.
Section 311 of the Federal Communication Act authorises the NBC to withhold broadcasting station licenses from persons who have been convicted of violating the anti-laws, which implies that in the absence of such conviction, the commission may not consider the applicant’s conduct in relation to such violation in determining whether the granting of his application would be contrary to the “public interest”.
As previously said, the broadcasting media, like all other forms of mass communication, must be orientated towards national unity and peaceful communicative existence.
Without a national policy that establishes clear standards for other operations, the broadcast media may fail to play an appropriate part in the nation’s growth and development.
This is why there is a need for a body like the national broadcasting commission (NBC), which was founded by decree No. 38 of 1992 and has become an act of the national assembly, and is the only chartered organisation with the authority to govern broadcasting in all of its activities.
Finally, it is believed that this research may provide light on some of the theories of mass communication. It will also investigate the implications and consequences of the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) rules and regulations governing Africa Independent Television.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
The impact of the NBC rules and regulations on broadcasting media can be defined as how the national broadcasting commission’s operations and services have influenced the operation of broadcast media.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1 Is AIT subject to the laws and regulations of NBC?
2 How does AIT’s adherence to NBC rules and regulations affect the AIT programme?
3 Do NBC rules and regulations contribute to AIT’s professionalism?
4 Do NBC rules and regulations influence the content and program content of AIT’S?
5. What impact does NBC regulation have on AIT’s programming?
6 How does AIT’s 2005 closure by NBC effect its news coverage?
7 Do NBC rules and regulations influence AIT’s show selection and scheduling?
1.5 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of national broadcasting commission (NBC) laws and regulations on African independent television.
This research will determine whether elements such as professionalism, business lobbies, non-governmental organisations, and so on affect or influence the broadcasting station’s compliance with NBC laws and regulations.
1.6 Significance of the Study
It is intended that the findings of this research will not only contribute to the huge body of knowledge concerning the impact of national broadcasting commission (NBC) laws and regulations on broadcasting medium.
It will provide an accurate depiction of the national broadcasting commission’s actions while also assisting broadcast media in developing their operations in accordance with NBC directives. Again, it will act as a guide for prospective researchers who wish to further investigate or research this area of study.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This research will examine into the implications of national broadcasting commission laws and regulations for broadcast media.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
The conclusions of this research work are only confined to Africa Independent Television, due to time constraints, a lack of money, and a lack of materials for successful research, as well as a lack of or inability to acquire National Broadcasting Commission statistics and information.
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