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Geographical Imbalance in Applications
for Licenses Worries NBC
Numerical imbalance between the North and South in
applications for licenses to operate broadcast facilities may have stalled
the granting of further approvals, according to a report by the Media
Rights Agenda (MRA).
In the report entitled “Broadcasting in Nigeria: The
Politics of License Allocation”, published in the June 1997 issue of
its monthly newsletter, Media Rights Monitor, the MRA said the
National Broadcasting Commission [NBC] was worried by the fact that the
applications it is receiving are coming mostly from the southern part of
the country.
According to the report, although the NBC has so far
screened over 321 applications for licenses, only 33 stations have
commenced radio, television and satellite transmission nationwide.
A breakdown shows that satellite television redistribution
has the highest number with 21 approved licenses, while television
transmission has 10 and radio licenses remain at two.
The MRA said in order to monitor broadcast stations
effectively, the NBC carved the country into seven zones, namely Abuja,
Benin, Jos, Kano, Lagos, Maiduguri and Umuahia.
It stated that “The worry within the NBC is that radio and
television broadcasting interest is flowing more from the southern parts
of the country, a true replication of what obtains in the running and
ownership of the independent newspapers in the country.”
The report said as at June 8, 1995, applications for radio
licenses were distributed as follows: Abuja, 15; Benin. Seven; Jos,
three; Lagos, 20; Umuahia, 18; Maiduguri, none; and Kano, one.
Applications for open television licenses at the same
period were: Abuja, 10; Benin, six; Jos, two; Kano, three; Lagos, 27;
Umuahia, nine; and Maiduguri, none.
For television satellite retransmissions, the applications
from the seven zones were: Abuja, 28; Benin, 45; Jos, 20; Kano, 19;
Lagos, 42; Umuahia, 39; and Maiduguri, seven.
The number of licenses approved has equally reflected these
patterns.
Besides Desmims Broadcasting station in Kaduna, the nine
other television stations operating in Nigeria are concentrated in Benin,
Lagos, Ibadan and Obosi, Anambra State, all southern Nigeria. The two
radio stations are in Lagos and Obosi.
The MRA noted that besides the factor of the imbalance in
the requests for licenses to operate broadcast stations, the unstable
political environment has been chiefly responsible for the Government’s
refusal to approve more licenses for radio operations.
Although as at June 8, 1995, 64 applications were made to
the NBC for radio licenses, so far, only two have been approved.
The report attributed the Government’s reluctance to
approve more radio licenses to its fear of the historical role of radio in
military coups.
It cited a statement by NBC Director-General, Dr. Tom Adaba,
that “The broadcast media have been central in ushering in one civilian or
military government after another. They have also been effectively used
to abort coups and stabilize government. They have undoubtedly had a fair
share in shaping the political destiny of this country.”
The Media Rights Agenda works for the promotion and
protection of press freedom and freedom of expression in Nigeria. It has
observer status with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights
and is a component of the FEDERC FOUNDATION which is registered under
Nigeria Law as a non-governmental organization.
For further information, please contact:
Edetaen Ojo
Executive Director
Tel: 1-869456
Fax: 1-863412
E-mail: mra@rcl.nig.com
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