PUBLIC AFFAIRS BROADCASTING IN NIGERIA: MYTH OR REALITY?

Abstract

The need to serve public interest through broadcast media programmes is imperative and the extent to which this can be achieved cannot be over-emphasized. Based on the foregoing, this paper examines the status of public affairs broadcasting in Nigeria, particularly in south-east Nigeria. It is undoubtedly evident that virtually all the broadcasting stations from federal to state level package series of public affairs programmes on daily and weekly bases. These programmes are designed for the general interest of the public. They are meant to address public problems, challenges, values and aspiration. One of the major challenges facing public affairs broadcasting in Nigeria is finance; others are: uneven flow, technological innovation and, lack of local content. This review, therefore, recommends that public affairs programmes should always be more of indigenous content than foreign. The content should be localized to fit into the Nigerian environment. Also, Broadcasters, Directors, Producers and other key personnel in broadcasting should be trained on recent technological innovations with regards to the use of Internet and other New Media innovations.