CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  Background of the Study

Broadcasting and the electronic media are the vehicle through which diverse audiences get abreast with the happenings in the society, especially in this era of globalization. Akpan, (2002, p.3) made this fact more explicit when he described broadcasting as the systematic dissemination of entertainment, information, educational and other features for simultaneous reception by a scattered audience individually or in group Electronic media are known for their immediacy of impact, their potentially wider reach, and their ability to transcend the banners of literacy and education to a particularly diverse audience. Thus, Abubakar (1993, p.183) succinctly notes that, “the electronic media refer only to radio and televisions. These forms of mass media reach millions of people simultaneously and with immediacy…” Moreover, the electronic media have also emerged as the most powerful tools for influencing the direction of public opinion in any modern society (Izuora 1993, p.190).

The development of radio was part of man’s quest to send and receive information over space   faster than “wired telegraph”.   This idea led to the development of radio in 1895 when Hugliemo Marconi (1874-1937) and Italian in his early 20s, carried out the first experiment on transmission of wireless signals and later sent the first wireless (Radio) communication signal using more codes over a 3 kilometers distance.   Like any electronic media radio broadcasting involves three stages of technical communication. The first is the production of programmed, second is the transmission and the third stage is the reception. Radio is one of the most ubiquitous, the most effective and cheapest medium of communication available to man today. It provides an opportunity for man’s environment. Through radio messages or information are received by means of electro-magnetic waves hence, the British calls it “wireless”.

From historical perspective (background), the broadcast media in Nigeria have come a long way and have gone through a lot of trying to keep space with intricacies of ever-changing society. What took off as a more rudimentary? Experimented monitory station can now boast of direct satellite communication equipment.   The actual beginning of broadcast in Nigeria as noted was in 1932, where as point of an experiment by the British Broadcasting Corporate (BBC). Lagos was chosen as one of the centers around to receive and transmit British Empire Service Signal from Divinatory England then the Lagos station began to experiment with re-diffusion services, under the supervision of engineer and technical at the post and telegraphs department, who were also mandated to major population center across the country.   This relay system of BBC was replicated in mainly English speaking countries across the globe and succeed in taking BBC news and programmed to many parts of the world especially the British Colonies.   This will help to make recommendation to different operations in such media on how to avoid the pit falls of government owned radio broadcasting media. This is based on the fact that Splash F.M 105.5, Ibadan come to reality in the 2007, January 22.   Although the first private radio commercial broadcasting began in 1999 (with license), this station also came to reality and give room for a new dimension in the world of broadcasting in Nigeria.

Furthermore, for those media to achieve success, certain rules and care must be taken to avoid the past mistakes of government owned electronic media (Radio) that is the concealment of this list-of-project-and-materials/">project.com.ng/list-of-project-and-materials/">research project. Electronic media serve as the alternative means of passing information to the general public because it eliminates the problem of illiteracy i.e inability to read and write.   Right from the advent of electronic media (radio and television) in Nigeria it has attracted public attention criticism this is due to the powerful nature and monopolistic ownership by the government. The movement towards broadcasting will be independent of government decision came followed the public and press criticism which was noticed in the 1950’s was the only central radio, then in Nigeria Broadcasting service (NBS) was being used as a government tool instead of being impartial and reflecting divergent views and cultural set-up of the nation. Adegbenro Dauda (Alhaji) in 1954 in a declared that “We in Nigeria do want half measures of being fed with incomplete and incorrect information.”