THE IMPLICATION OF NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMMISSION RULES AND REGULATIONS ON BROADCAST MEDIA

CHAPTER ONE 

INTRODUCTION     

1.1     BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY   

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is the new body empowered to oversee and regulate the operations of broadcasting in Nigeria consequent upon Decree N0. 55 of 1995 which subsequently became an act of the National Assembly.   To be specific, the NBC is legally and constitutionally vested with the power to monitor, oversee, regulate and license broadcasting in Nigeria and its scope of operation covers the transmission of sound (by radio), audiovisual transmission (by television) via a transmitter as well as transmission through satellite, cable network, system or any other broadcast medium in the country.   As Odetoyinbo (2005) observes in Orunsola Olufemi (2009): Current Trends in Broadcasting, that…   “the NBC in addition to its primary inherent powers, has been vested with additional exclusive powers relating to nationwide broadcasting licensing and regulation which were previously exercised by other agencies under the Wireless Telegraph Act of 1996 and some relevant sections of the Nigerian Television Authority Act of 1976 and the Federal Radio Corporation Act of 1978.”   Decree No. 38 authorized NBC to keep watch over licensing and regulation of Cable Television, Radio , Satellite or any other medium, broadcast from any part of the country is subjected to its authority.   NBC three cardinal purposes were to according to Orunsola (2009):   a.       Regulate and control the deregulated broadcast industry in Nigeria.   

b.       Set a standard for broadcasting practice in Nigeria and create a national broadcasting code which would be the reference point for broadcasting in Nigeria in terms of broadcast quality, content and conduct of both broadcast program and broadcast professionals.   

c.      Determine and enforce necessary classes sanction as may be necessary to mute out on defaulter of the provision of national broadcasting code ranging from revocation of licenses, to fine or outright closure of a station. National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) was established through Decree No 38 of 1992 and has become an Act of the National Assembly, which is the sole chartered organization with power to regulate broadcasting in all its activities.   In conclusion, through this research work, some mass communication theories will be examined and look into the implications and impact of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) rules and regulations.     

1.2      STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM   

Implication of National broadcasting Commission (NBC) rules and regulations on broadcast medium can be referred to as the positive effect the NBC services has impacted on the operations of the broadcasting media.  This research work will seek to find out what effort or impact the NBC rules and regulations have on Africa Independent Television (AIT).     

1.3   RESEARCH QUESTIONS   

1.     To what extent do the rules and regulations of NBC aid AITs level of professionalism?   

2.     Does adherence to NBC rules and regulations influence the contents of its programme?   

3.     Does AIT comply with the NBC regulation of local content of 60%?   

4.     To what extent do the rules and regulations of NBC affect the contents of AIT programmes?     

1.4   OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY   

The main objective of this study is to find out the Implication of National Broadcasting Commission rules and regulations on AIT. This research work will seek to find out if factors such as, professional organization, commercial lobbies, non-governmental organizations etc affect or influence the broadcast station in complying with the NBC rules and regulations.