The Normative Values of the Regulation and Deregulation of Media Broadcast in Nigeria

Abstract

Like other democratic countries, Nigeria has adopted deregulation and regulation of media broadcast among other paradigms to enable freedom of expression and a conducive media environment in its territory. Its efforts towards deregulation and regulation have been seen in its adoption of Decree No.38 of 1992 (which led to the liberalization of the Nigerian audio-visual sector) and the creation of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission which today is charged with the responsibility of licensing radio and TV stations, regulating contents and generally setting standards for best media practices in the Nigerian audio-visual industry. The efforts mentioned above have led to the emergence of a plurality of audio-visual players in the country as well as a degree of freedom of expression and vibrancy among private media houses. All these developments have immensely contributed to democratization in the country. In spite of these positive developments, Nigeria’s broadcast media regulatory machinery has not always functioned in a credible and vibrant way. Freedom of broadcast and private entrepreneurship in audio visual are enabled only to an extent. Also, content regulation is strongly determined by the political affiliation of media houses while media regulatory bodies (the same as government owned broadcast stations) are not really independent – they are strongly controlled by government. As such, they tend to favor government in the approaches to regulating broadcast in the country