CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF NTA NATIONAL INTEGRATION PROGRAMME
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CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF NTA NATIONAL INTEGRATION PROGRAMME
Chapter one
1.0 Introduction
The function of the media, particularly television, in promoting national integration is critical. Since its inception, television has grown to be an extremely essential and powerful medium of mass communication.
Its synchronised broadcast of audio and visual signals allows it to exert great impact on society, gaining legitimacy and attention over other media such as radio, newspapers, and magazines.
Television has evolved into a vital link between society and its various activities. This is because it serves as an integration tool, which is especially important in today’s world, where ethnic, religious, political, and other differences are being brought together to establish a global community.
The media conveys messages that individuals from many groups and nations need in order to know, respect, and appreciate one another. Furthermore, television raises awareness of various lifestyles in a population.
This places an emphasis on lifestyle commonalities, which is useful to developing countries such as Nigeria, where “loyalties rarely extend beyond the village, tribe, or religion” and integration is typically viewed as identification with the broader total, i.e. the state.
When evaluating the role of television in advancing national integration, it should be noted that the media (television) informs every stratum of society about the dangers of a lack of unity among the various people of a community or nation state by creating a sense of identification and propagating common cultural values.
In Nigeria, for example, NTA stations in various states of the Federation share programs on their people’s ways of life, which may be interpreted as an attempt at national integration.
People from one state can learn about and appreciate the lifestyles, perspectives, and goals of Nigerians from other states by viewing such programs. Understanding, for example, has the potential to reduce or remove fear and ethnocentrism, which are often at the root of mistrust between individuals based on cultural, religious, and other liens/diversities.
For a developing country like Nigeria to attain true national cohesion and unity, the role of the media, particularly television, must be identified and emphasised.
National integration is a multifaceted or multi-sectoral term that embraces all elements of our national, educational, cultural, social, religious, tribal, ethnic, political, and economic lives, and hence implies active engagement by all.
The media educates the general population on the need of national unity and progress. According to Currant et al. (1979), “the role of the media cannot be overlooked in the development of any society which diverse culture, tribe, group, and other affiliations”.
He additionally stated that “the media is of great importance in social, cultural, economic and political development of every nation not because they are in better position to serve the particular needs of the people but also because they make it easier for more people to have access to the media and therefore take part in its affairs” .
To contribute meaningfully to national integration/unity in facilitating development, the media, particularly television, must have a conclusive atmosphere in which to carry out its traditional function of curbing community excesses, which, if allowed to continue, will stymie much-needed integration and development.
The media requires full cooperation from both the government and the general public in order to educate people about the importance of tolerance in the interests of peace and tranquilly.
Recent occurrences in the Niger Delta, Jos, Kano, and Bauchi crises demonstrate a lack of unity among the country’s many communities.These frictions not only impeded social and economic growth, but also resulted in the loss of life, the maiming of innocent persons, and the destruction of property.
As a result, the media must play a critical role in transforming these unpleasant situations. This is only possible if the press is granted complete freedom to function, as a free press is the foundation of national integration and progress.
1.1 Statement of General Problem
National integration is critical to the development of every nation. Nigeria, despite its many ethnic, religious, and cultural diversities, cannot be considered an outlier.
Thus, there is an issue of misunderstanding among the numerous diversities in the country, which has frequently resulted in crises. However, the mass media, particularly television, has faced criticism for its role in national integration at this time.
Against this backdrop, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the function of television, namely NTA Kaduna, in creating national unity with the goal of promoting peace and harmonious coexistence among the nation’s many groups.
1.3 Aim and Objectives
The purpose of this research is to evaluate the role of television in national integration, given that television continues to be a potent instrument of control. Given the foregoing, this study’s objectives include:
1. Evaluate NTA Kaduna’s national integration activities.
2. Determine viewers’ perceptions of NTA Kaduna’s show and how this relates to the national integration goal.
3. Investigate the impact of television messages during emergencies.
4. Discover how television might be used to strengthen unity among the nation’s ethnicities and cultures.
5. To examine the various methods by which NTA Kaduna carries out its national integration tasks.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This research will provide insight to individuals who plan to conduct similar research. It will also make an important contribution to the literature for students, media practitioners, and the discipline of mass communication as a whole.
This report would also help and guide NTA Kaduna in designing and packaging national integration activities. This research is also useful in general since it focusses on diversity, which is essential for sustainable growth.
1.5 Scope of Study
This study focusses on NTA Kaduna’s national integration activities and their impact on Kaduna metropolis citizens.
1.6 Theoretical Framework
The social responsibility theory of mass media is deemed most appropriate for this study since it provides a framework within which this research may be conducted.
The social responsibility theory, an extension of the libertarian school of thought, has its origins to the Hutchins Commission on Freedom of the Press, which was established in the United States in 1947.
The fundamental emphasis of this theory in connection to national integration is its representation of the media’s power “to bring conflict to the forefront of discussion.”
In principle, media can be utilised by anyone with an idea to express, however it is prohibited to invade other people’s privacy or disrupt key societal structures or interests while expressing an idea.
This theory proposes six specific functions for the press.
· Provide public access to information, discussion, and analysis of public affairs to benefit the political system.
· Inform the public to take self-determined action.
· To preserve individuals’ rights by acting as a watchdog over the government.
· To facilitate the economic system by connecting customers and vendors.
· To provide enjoyable amusement. Whatever “good” means in the culture at any given time.
· To maintain financial autonomy. Social responsibility theory likely to validate this study since it emphasises the necessity to bring problems to the plane of discussion in order to develop unity and, on a bigger scale, national integration.
1.7 Definition of Terms
1. Integration is the process of merging two or more items so that one becomes a part of the other.
2. Unity: causing something or someone to stick together.
3. Mass media refers to the many methods via which information is delivered to the public. Examples include television, radio, and newspapers.
4. National: something dealing with the greater total, such as the entire country.
5. NTA: Nigeria Television Authority.
1.8 History of the Case Study
The Nigerian Television Authority’s (NTA) history dates back to October 31, 1959, when Western Nigerian Television (WNTV) broadcast the first television signals in Nigeria. Eastern Nigerian Television (ENTV) was established only a year later, in 1960.
The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Kaduna was formed from the old Broadcasting Company of Northern Nigeria (BCNN), which was founded by decree No. 24 on March 31, 1962, but became an entity on April 1, 1976. The station’s transmitters are located in No. 99 Isah Kaita Road, Kaduna.
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