CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF PRIVATE BROADCASTING STATIONS IN INFORMATION DISSEMINATION (A CASE STUDY OF AIT, PORTHARCOURT, RIVERS STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Broadcasting is the dispensation of audio, video or both content to a dispersed audience through any electronic mass communications medium. Despite the wave of private broadcasting around the world, Nigeria is yet to experience typical operation of private broadcasting. Although the National broadcasting Commission the regulatory body claims that the private radio stations are private broadcastings. The operation of those stations still reflect top-to-bottom communication model because, the stations are mostly education curricular-based. Several bottlenecks exist that deter broadcasting in Nigeria. Below are the factors that limit private broadcasting in Nigeria:

Constitutional Limits

The 1999 constitution of Nigeria in section 39, titled Right to freedom of expression and the press provided (subsection2) that “every person shall be entitled to own, establish and operate any medium for the dissemination of information, ideas and opinions; provided that no person other than government of the federation or of a state or any other personor body authorized by the president on the fulfillment of conditions laid down by an Act of the National assembly shall own, establish or operate a television or wireless broadcasting station for any purpose whatsoever”.

The above provision shows a rigorous approach which does not expedite the principles of participation. It therefore restricts the entire process because in the bid to victimize certain individuals (that probably did not vote in elections)the government in power could deny licenses. Also, the constitution withdraws the right of expression through provision section 39 (3) which states that: “Nothing in this section shall invalidate any other law that is reasonably justifiable ina democratic society.” The implication is that even licensed stations can be stripped of their licenses by government atwill.

Regulatory Limits

The regulatory limits of broadcasting are related to that of the constitution. The National Broadcasting commission provides for the commission to exert regulatory powers on the broadcast ownership and operation in Nigeria. The decree set out in clear terms the responsibilities of the commission. The responsibilities as they relate to regulation are parts of the limits of private broadcasting. Critics have observed that the provision, most times, negate the principles of deregulation.

Financial Limits

In broadcasting, as in every other sector in Nigeria, finance is a problem that limits broadcasting. Eventhough the NBC has not started issuance of private broadcasting licenses, license fee poses as a challenge to theoperation. Learning from the impact of license fees and renewal fees on the existing private stations (their inability tomake substantial profit after paying license fees ranging from 10 million to 25 Million naira); it becomes difficult for private stations to be commercially viable in the face of the present licensing regime. In relation to this, in order tomaximise profits, since the duration of the licence (five years) is not enough to recoup investment, the tendency of overcommercialization endangers the essence of broadcasting. Broadcast media in Nigeria are shying away from their primary responsibilities of educating, informing and enlightening the citizenry and violets the fundamental rights of the people to receive the right type of information".

Statement of the problem

The problems of this study are:

1. Individuals find it difficult to invest in the area of broadcasting because the environment has several restrictions.
2. The current structure of broadcasting in the country is deficient to effectively cover the whole country and provide the critical voice for the people

Objectives of the study

This study seeks to examine the prospects and challenges of private broadcast stations in Nigeria.

• Help the Nigerian government establish a committee to ascertain the approaches to broadcasting.
• To provide more effective, legally binding broadcasting regime for true democracy, media pluralism and diversity of information sources.
• To provide a structure of broadcasting in the country that will effectively cover the whole country and provide the critical voice for the people.

Research questions

1. What are the challenges of private broadcast stations in Nigeria?
2. Why does Individuals find it difficult to invest in the area of broadcasting?
3. Mention any prospect of private broadcast stations in Nigeria.

Significance of the study

This study will be beneficial to the private and national developments, educate the citizenry about broadcasting so that they internalize their responsibilitiesin relation to content creation and contribution to national development.

Scope/Limitations of the study

This study on immorality in churches will cover all forms of immoral activities that exist in churches today with a view of finding a lasting solution to the problem.

Limitations of study

1. Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
2. Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

Definition of terms

Broadcast service:means a service that delivers television programs or radio programs to persons having equipment appropriate for receiving that service, whether the delivery uses the radiofrequency spectrum, cable, optical fibre, satellite or any other means or a combination of those means’. A broadcasting service does not include:

Broadcast:is the simultaneous transmission of the same message to multiple recipients.