Deregulation involves a complete shift from government ownership of the
broadcasting media to private ownership. The public participation in the
broadcasting industry opens a chapter in the emancipation of the media in
Nigeria.
Since the 1990s, many privately owned electronic media have sprung in all
parts of Nigeria, adding flavour to what the Nigerian audience received as
programme content for government owned radio and television.
In this article, you will be able to:
• Trace the history of deregulation of broadcasting in Nigeria
• Discuss how AIT was founded
• Discuss the coverage extent of AIT
• Discuss the problem of deregulation in the country.
History of Deregulation of Broadcasting in Nigeria
The clamour for deregulation of the broadcasting media in Nigeria began
during the colonial era when the nationalists pressured the British government
to allow the indigenous participation in the affairs of state controlled
broadcasting stations in the country.
The Federal Government was soon to find out why the colonial masters held
on tight to broadcasting, there is still the reluctance to allow a full-blown
deregulation.
The Government’s response in 1992 to the demand for private participation
in the ownership and management of the broadcast media was a great relief.
However, five years after the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Decree
came into force; the government was not as open as expected in the issuance of licenses
to applicants.
Issuance of Licenses by NBC
The NBC has screened over 321 applications but only 33 stations have
commenced radio, television and satellite transmission nationwide. Satellite
television redistribution takes the highest number with 21 approved licenses;
the television transmission stations have risen to 10 while the radio licenses
remain at two.
Establishing the First Independent Broadcasting
In the early 1990s, because of the historic National Broadcasting
Commission Decree, according to Muyiwa Oyinlola (2004), Nigerian media was
dominated by the government only. Information was only disseminated from
government-owned broadcasting firm.
However, the Head of State then, General Ibrahim Babangida issued another
decree which allowed private broadcasting in Nigeria. After this decree came
the first private television network, Africa Independent Television (AIT). AIT
was pioneered by Dr. Raymond Dokpesi.
AIT was also Africa’s first satellite TV station. Today, Dokpesi is
regarded as the “media guru of Nigeria.” This is because he not only pioneered
the first satellite TV but also the first privately owned radio station in
Nigeria.
In addition, he set the standard for salary structure in the media
industry, which was imitated by Nigeria Television Authority.
Challenges of Deregulation in Nigeria
The NBC has screened over 321 applications but only 33 stations have
commenced radio, television and satellite transmissions nationwide.
Satellite television re-distribution takes the highest number with 21
approved licenses, the television transmission stations have raised to 10 while
the radio licenses multiply. The greatest problem NBC has is that the
applications it is receiving are mostly coming from one part of the country.
In conclusion, Deregulation has introduced competition in the Nigeria
broadcasting industry. It has created more jobs for the teeming population of
youths in the country. Today, government owned electronic media are striving to
keep the pace set by the privately owned stations.
This article has at least revealed the history of deregulation of
broadcasting in Nigeria, the issuance of licenses, the establishment of AIT and
challenges of deregulation in Nigeria
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