A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF IMPACT OF DIGITAL BROADCASTING ON ELECTRONIC MEDIA (A STUDY OF AIT)

ABSTRACT

The research appraises  the concept of digitalization, its significance, features and challenges for the broadcast media in Nigeria. Since we are today living in the information age when the individuals, organizations and nations depend solely on the degree or amount of information at their disposal and how adequately they are managing it, the need, however, arises to also examines and analyzed digitization and the extent to which it has impacted on the operations of broadcast media. The research evaluates a case study of AIT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Generally, Digitization is a broad term spanning the media industry including the prints and the electronic media. It is the representation of an object ,image, sound, document, or a signal usually an analog signal by a discreet set of its points or sample the result of these processes are digital representation, digital image for an object and digital form for a signal.

To a Mass Communicator author and expert, McQuail (2000:28), the process of digitization having immense significance to the computing ideals as it "allows information of all kinds in all formats to be carried with the same efficiency and also intermingled". By inference therefore,

Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review (OMAN Chapter) Vol. 3, No.5; Dec. 2013  90 digitization for the broadcasting media will enhance audio and visual quality.

In another breath, Digitalization also means an enhanced viewers experience through for instance: Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), sub-titling, additional language options, and interactive services such as weather and news reports (Wikipedia 2013). Nancy Hicks Maynard (2010) described digitalization as “a mega media”, whereby the much about the ways we define, gather and produce news will have to change.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

On June 16, 2006, a resolution on digitalization for broadcasters in Europe, Africa and Middle East as well as the Islamic Republic of Iran was reached in Geneva, Switzerland at an international conference organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). A deadline of 17th June,2015 was agreed upon for the effective take off of digitalization of the broadcast media.

As part of the resolution, the ITU deadline refers to the digitalization of TV Broadcasting only, while that of Radio was not determined yet. Furthermore, the ITU agreement allows for an additional five years to 2020 for many African countries including Nigeria. Accordingly, representatives of 120 countries including Nigeria adopted and signed the digitalization treaty.

The document states, in part: “Digitalization of broadcasting by 2015represents a major landmark towards establishing a more equitable, just and people-centered information society.

The digital switchovers will leap-frog existing technologies to connect the unconnected in underserved and remote communities and close the digital divide.”(Akin Akingbuluet al 2010&KabirGarba 2012) The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) ,agreement further stated the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting is based on the following premise ,improving coverage of digital TV transmission, ensuring that bandwidth are available for wireless broadband services, enhancing sound and picture quality, in particular HDTV, enabling more channels (additional content) and giving unfettered access to digital radio transmission.

Global Update In full demonstration of the ITU mandate, the global report of the implementation drive is quite encouraging, as stated in the just concluded Digital Dialogue Dubai Conference, 2013. The United Kingdom broadcast media has accomplished its switch over from analogue to digital between 2005 and 2012. Mike Hughes Broadcast Director, Digital UK said the implementation team comprised of BBC, ITV4,5,SA/C. Teletext, SDNARQIVA, and two representatives of manufacturers and retailers. The project cost about $700 million.

In Africa, Kenya has raised the bar for others. Daniel Obam , National Communications Secretariat report; “Kenya had adopted a phased migration, which would see 10 cities switching over between January this year and June 2014. As part of the plan, Nairobi and its environs would migrate on December 13, 2013”.the best thing to happen in the broadcast media market, since the Nigerian consumer has been taken for a ride for too long.

“We had been subjected to poor quality services by operators. But this development wouldenable us move ahead at a speed the world is moving in broadcasting

(Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review (OMAN Chapter) Vol. 3, No.5; Dec. 2013 91)

The research therefore intends to provide a critical evaluation of impact of digital broadcasting on electronic media with a case study of AIT.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The challenge confronted with the analogue transmission of broadcast media in terms of limitation of area coverage, poor quality images and sound among others led to the resolution to the transmission from analogue to digital transmission. However the attainment of this objective is yet to be determined in Nigeria. This therefore constitute the problem confronting this research, to critically evaluate the impact of digital broadcasting on electronic media, with a case study of AIT.

RESEARCH QUESTION

1. What is the nature of digital broadcasting  on electronic media

2. What is the impact of digital broadcasting on electronic media

3. What are the challenges of digital broadcasting

 4. What is the impact of digital broadcasting in AIT.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

1. To appraise the nature of digital broadcasting in electronic media
2. To determine the impact of digital broadcasting in electronic media
3. To evaluate the challenges in digital broadcasting in electronic media
4. To determine the impact of digital broadcasting in AIT.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

1. The study shall provide a conceptual and theoretical framework of the nature of digital broadcasting in electronic media.
2. The study shall be of immense value to professionals in the broadcast media
3. The study shall serve a reference point of information  on digital broadcasting

STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

H0   There is no  digital broadcasting AIT

H1   There is digital broadcasting in AIT

H0  The challenge of digital broadcasting in AIT is low

H1  The challenge of digital broadcasting in AIT is high

H0 The impact of digital broadcasting in AIT is  low

H1  The impact of digital broadcasting in  AIT  is high

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study centers on the critical evaluation of the impact of digital broadcasting on electronic media .it evaluates the nature , challenges and the impact of digital broadcasting, with a case analysis of digital broadcasting in AIT.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Generally, Digitization is a broad term spanning the media industry including the prints and the electronic media. It is the representation of an object ,image, sound, document, or a signal usually an analog signal by a discreet set of its points or sample the result of these processes are digital representation, digital image for an object and digital form for a signal.