Effects Of Government Ownership And Control Of Mass Media On Me Dia Objectivity (a Case Study Of Esbs)

The  media  of  mass  communication  has  two  important  broad  sub – divisions,  the  electronic  and  the  print  media.  The  print  media  involves  mainly  the  magazine  and  newspapers.  These  are  regional  and  national  informers  which  provides  retrievable,  researched  and  indepth  news – stories  of  events.

Since  its  inception  in  1859,  courtesy  of  Henry  Townsend,  print  media  has  always  been  owned  by  either  individuals,  groups  of  individuals,  organizations  or  government,  both  state  and  the  national.  Due  to  the  pluralistic  nature  of  control  of  print  media,  the  competition  thereof,  the  print  media  has  always  been  a  vital  instrument  of  enlightenment.  Infact,  it  was  instrumental  in  the  struggle  to  gain  independence  for  Nigeria  in  1960.  However,  the  individuals  or  groups  that  establish  newspapers/  magazines  have  always  used  it  to  propagate  their  interests.  But  on  the  whole,  it  has  played  a  major  role  in  informing,  educating  and  entertaining  the  society.

The  other  arm  of  mass  communication  media  is  the  electronic  media.  It  comprises   of  the  radio  and  television.  It  ha  not  been  as  enterprising  as  it  should  be.  Neither  is  it  as  competitive  as  the  print  media.  This  is  attributable  to  the  majority  ownership  and  control  of  the  electronic  media  by  the  government.  This  attribute  is  not  a  recent  phenomenon.  It  can  be  traced  to  the  political  experience  of  the  western  region  of  Nigeria  in  the  first  republic,  where:

“During  the  1962 – 1965  political  crisis  in  The  western  region,    broadcasting  was  employed  freely   by  the  government  of  the  day  as  an  instrument  for  waging  an  offensive  against  opposition “.

Following  the  activities  of  major  political  actors  then,  the  government  saw  its  efficacy,  then  decided  to  only  trust  the  electronic  media  into  the  care  of  its  royals.  It  therefore  toyed  with  the  idea  of  tying  the  radio  and  television  to  what  Modlyne  Opara  of  ESBS  called  “it’s apron”.  Though  the  constituent  assemblies  that  smithed  the  1959  and  1979  constitutions  for  the  country  did  not  approve  monolithic  control  of  the  electronic  media  by  the  government,  government  went  ahead  in  constitutionalizing  its  grip  on  the  media.  The  president  of  the  federal  Republic  of  Nigeria  was  vested  with  the  right  to  permit  the  establishment  of  the  electronic  media.  The  constitution states  inter alia: 

“……that  besides  federal  and  state  governments,  individuals  and  corporate  bodies  were  also  eligible  to  own  and  operate  radio  and  television  stations,  provided  that  they  received  the  presidents  permission  to  do  so”

It  has  been  widely  acclaimed  that  the  government  had  to  take  such  decision  because  the  people  were  not  emotionally  and  materially  set  for  individual  ownership  of  the  electronic  media,  due  to  its  vulnerability  to  abuse  and  the  high  capital  required  to  establish  it.

Also  considering  that :

brokers  of  information  by  their  very  nature  and  availability,  the  mass  media  have  been   recognized  as ……  Most  potent  tool……in  the  modern  world”.

If  we  have  to  go  by  records,  the  government’s  insistence  on  moving  and  controlling  the  electronic  media  is  in  contravention  of  the  universal  declaration  of  human  rights  article  19  of  the  UNO.  This  article  states  that :

“Everyone  has  the  right  to  freedom  of  opinion  and  expression,  this  right  includes  freedom  to  hold  opinions  without  interference  and  seek  receive  and  import  information  and  ideas  through  any  media  

and  regardless  of  frontiers” 

Nevertheless,  Nigerians  of  the  contemporary  time  are  increasing  decrying  government  ownership  and  control  of  radio  and  television  station  because  the  station  are  increasingly  losing  its  credibility.  Yet  experts  suggested  reasons  why  the  government  continues  its  claw – like  hold  on  the  radio  and  television.  Adidi  Ugo,  a  senior  lecturer  in  mass  communication  department  of  the  university  of  Lagos  (UNILAG)  attributes  this  fear by  the  government:

   fear”.

But  government  has  defense  against  this.  It  claims  that  private  ownership  would  lay  volatile  Nigerian  publics  open  to  selfish  manipulation.  Hence  it  can  only  trust  such  huge  responsibilities  into  the  hands  of  its  loyals.

Plausible  as  the  government’s  interest  might  sound,  considering  experiences  of  the  political  past  and  the  present  time  where  certain  political  interests  were  propagated  at  the  expense  of  the  masses.  Chiefs  executives  of  government  are  known  to  have  abused  the  electronic  media  by  using  it  to  further  their  own  parochial  causes.  In  addition,  the  governments  ownership  and  control  of  the   electronic  media  - radio  and  television  has  not  been  without  some  hindrance  on  the  media  operations  and  further  of  its  integrity.  If not  for  anything, J.E.  Aliede,  a expert  believes  that   “Due  to  the  government  control  of  the  electronic  media, they lack  credibility  and  objectivity”.  This  can  be  accounted  in  the  caliber  of  workers  they   parade.  Aliede  described  them  as “…….  Poorly  educated  editors  and  reporters …….”  These  half  baked    staff  are  ill  remunerated,  making  them  have  lean  and   financial  base  and  thus  easy  targets  for  manipulation  by  the  government  and  its  agents.

Following   this  background  therefore,  we  have  resolved  to  seriously   determine.  The  effects  of  the  age long  ownership  and  control  of  the  Enugu  state   Broadcasting   service  by  the  state  government  with  a  particular  interest  at  the  FM  arm  of  the  establishment.  We  are  not  forgetting  that  John  C. Menril  in  his  paper  “A  conceptual  overview  of  world  journalism”  noted  that  “A  nation’s  press  or  media  system  is  closely  tied  to  its  political  system”.  Since  “A  nation’s  journalism  cannot  exceed  the  limits  permitted  by  the  society;  on  the  other  hand,  it  cannot  lag  far  behind”.  Also  Dr.  S. A.  Ekwelie  has  shown  through  a  study  that  the  needs  of  a  developing  country  is  to  use  the  media  for  “evolution  of  new  psychological  personality”.  That  is  what  J. E.  Aliede  believed  to  be  “empathy”.

HISTORY  OF  ESBS

According  to  “ A  brief  history  of  ESBS”  published  on  the  official  commissioning / launching  of  Enugu  state  Broadcasting  service  (ESBS)  stations,  independent  Layout ,  Enugu  on  20th  March  1992.

“What  is  today  known  as  Enugu  state  Broadcasting  service  (ESBS)  has  undergone  a  great  deal  of  metamorphosis.  It  was  first  opened  on  October  1,  1960,  as  one  of  the  memorable  ceremonies  marking Nigeria attainment of independence, and was then known as eastern Broadcasting Corporation (ENBC).”

As the many state government that inherited it changed, the name of the establishment charged. Hence, it has borne such names as east central state broadcasting service (ECBS). This was later changed to Anambra Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)  following the creation of Anambra state. This name was later modified to Anambra State. This name was later modified to Anambra Broadcasting Service in 1985 following the creation of Enugu State, the station assumed the name Enugu State Broadcasting Service ESBS in 1991.

The Enugu State Broadcasting Service transmits on the following channels and frequencies.

As you would have guessed , the ESBS comprises at present a functional radio station transmitting on channel 50 UHF. Since our study is in the effects of government ownership and control of the radio 2 FM of the ESBS, we are going to concentrate our efforts on the radio 2 FM station.

The reason for  our  choice  is  obvious  as  Eugene  S.  Foster  had  earlier  written  that:

“Radio  today  occupies  a  unique  role  in  our  society.  While  our  attention  at  one  level  is  focused  on  television,  we  rely  more  heavily  on  sound  during  those  hours  not  reserved  for  full  attention  entertainment  with  video.  Although,  the  traditional  radio  stations  sought  to  be  all  things  to  all  people.  Today’s  radio  comes  closer  to  meeting  the  basic  needs  for  companionship  so  prevalent  in  an  impersonal  and  computerized  world”.

If  radio  enjoys  all  these,  the  FM  radio  enjoys  more  advantages.  Mrs.  Modlyn  Opara,  a  one – time  acting  Director  ESBS  radio  2  FM  said  that,  “the  FM  is  mainly  for  playing  music  (entertainment)  and  adverts,”  because  of  the  many  advantages  it  enjoys  over  the  amplitude  modulated  (AM).  Following  these  over – riding  factors,  the  ESBS  exploits  the  Fm  for  its  combined  service  broadcasts  as   news  and  state  executives  broadcast.  On  the  whole,  the  FM  enjoys  the  following  advantage  over  the  AM  namely:  The  FM  is;

Besides  all  these  sterling  qualities,  the  FM  like  other  electronic  media,  according  to  J.E.  Aliede  of  Ebonyi  State  Newspaper  corporation, 

“…….  Makes  great  contribution  towards  societal  improvements.  It  is  among  other  things  the  source  of  news ,  information,  education,  entertainment,  opinion  leadership,  conferring  status  and  creating  symbolism.  The  way  they  do  it,  no  matter  the  place,  determine  their  contributions  to  national  development   or  otherwise.  The  government  always  exploits  this  medium  avenue  to  sell  its  politics,  policies  and  program  propaganda  to  the  society.  And  since  the  government  funds  this  medium,  it  sets  up  the  “………organizational  structure  of  the  management  as  to  control  and  manage …..”  it  the  way  it  likes,  posits  Aliede  in  a  lecture.

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  in  so  much  as  the  station  is  referred  to  as  “the  station  with  the  right  attitude  (thanks  to  Kelvin  Ugwu  a  presenter  on  ESBS  FM  radio)  it  is  not  very  accessible  to  all  and  sundry.  Its  accessibility  depends  on  whether  one’s  view  is  for  or  against  the  government  of  the  day.  For  most  state  government  and  in fact  most  governments,  The  rule  has  always  been  that  “ those  who  are  not  for  us  are  against  us”.  Hence  their  view  had  not  best  find  place  in  the  government  media  (or  do   we  say  megaphone).  The  boards  of  directors,  news  editors  and  presenters  etc.  All  these  personnel  are  accredited  government  loyalist  who  must  protect  the  interest  of  the  government  always.