As for private radio network and the FRCN Act, I expect those of us in the business of purveying an d disseminating information to take the pains to read laws guiding the establishment of an organization.  If you carefully peruse  the Wireless Telegraphy Acts, the FRCN Acts and the NBC Acts  and the amended Act, the question of FRCN has been addressed.  The FRCN Act was in fact repealed.   The Amended Act gives the Commission power to establish radio television, cable and any others that the Commission finds desirable.  The licencing of NETWORK in no way conflicts with the FRCN Act and that of NTA Act, as section 22(1) of the NBC Act No. 38 of 1992 repealed the sections that give the FRCN and NTA power to exclusively broadcast radio and television in Nigeria.   So, the Commission is on course.

Talking about priorities, I will, without being immodest state categorically that the Commission has been systematic and pragmatic in its operations viz-a-viz licensing regimen

First the Commission started with radio and television licences granted to broadcasters alongside cable redistribution channels.

Later, satellite television licences were granted for Direct To Home (DTH) and now tackling the network issue.  And don’t forget that the Commission has been embarking on many developmental tasks aimed at developing the broadcasting industry and the country in particular.

What readily comes to mind includes AFRICAST which is a platform for tackling problems in the broadcasting industry from the perspective of AFRICA – HIV, AIDS, Technology, Deregulation and it’s consequences and family values among others.   Of course, there is the public forum and various conferences and workshops alongside contemporary publications.  The most recent is the Commission’s arrow-head role for digitization wave moving across the world and shaping the way Nigeria is going to go and sensitizing and mobilizing stakeholders.

Anyway for community radio, it has received equal attention by the Commission through seminal works, seminars and committee works leading to a blue print.  We have done our part alongside other stakeholders.  The Commission is aware that the issue of community broadcasting has been sent to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

I am quite sure those clamoring for community radio will soon smile as the federal government will come out with a National Policy that our Commission will work with soon.

The laws governing broadcasting in Nigeria when radio debutted in 1932 is quite clear on who or what organization has a network and when such networks were established.  You may wish to examine the Wireless Telegraphy Acts and both the NTA and FRCN Acts and of course the NBC Acts 38 of 1992 and the amended Acts.  The picture will be clearer.

 However, what dichotomizes the station-based “Networks” and the new initiative by the National Broadcasting Commission is that the yet to be licenced  network  undergoing due diligence and due process will be content-driven.

The content generated will be networked around the country through private or public broadcasters.

  Let me clear one foggy area in this question.  Every private television and radio station is not obliged to hook up to the private networks currently in the works.  It is simply a matter of choice, and bargaining which is mutual.  And nothing stops the public broadcasters from collaborating with private networks to avail themselves of quality content to transmit, which in turn translates to revenue.

 For now, stations do not produce good content, good programmes and don’t embark on creative endeavors which is why our emphasis is that the networks to be licenced soon will not be station- based but content driven.  In broadcasting CONTENT is the king.

Globally, experience have shown that for the benefits of networking through radio or television to be fully realized; the number of networks must be limited.  For instance, the United States of America, given her immense potentials for media conglomeration, media technology and mass media content has only four networks – ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX. 

Therefore, coming on the heels of deregulation seventeen years after,  it stands to reason that given the country’s level of broadcasting experiment and the parlous state of our economy (and of course don’t forget the global economic meltdown) two for now is adequate, not to break the monopoly of FRICN and NTA but to allow for healthy competition.

To begin with, we must cast our minds back to the pre-regulation era in Nigeria when radio and television stations were wholly and solely government-owned, both federal and state with the concomitant stranglehold on those stations and the personnel writ  large.

No doubt, freedom of expression was stifled, access was not guaranteed, and right of reply, which is now universally accepted and practiced was denied.

Now, television broadcasting in Nigeria is going to be fifty years in Nigeria come October, but what gave birth to radio and television was the denial of right of reply to late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the then Premier of Western Nigeria by the Colonial Masters following a grave allegation.  That in a nutshell paints the picture of the essence of private broadcasting.

To be specific, what is a radio or television network?  A network is a closely connected group of radio and television stations that exchange information or programmes i.e. a communication/distribution network.  Such networks broadcast a television or a radio programme on stations in several different areas at the same time.  What you can again call simulcasting.

Given the fact that stations are licensed to broadcast in cities, and no broadcasting organization has licence for all the states of the federation, it stands to reason that when radio stations of different hues are allowed to network, the audience stand to benefit from the array of new programmes, news and news-related programmes, breaking news as well as various advertisements.

Therefore, the introduction of private radio and television network allows the private stations to collaborate, exchange content and share adverts revenue.

For broadcasting in the country, the advantages are immense.  One, it encourages the production of new programmes – drama, movies, soap operas, quiz, reality shows and documentaries among others.

Two, the networks create jobs for different genres of workers in the broadcasting industry – producers, directors, engineers, internet technology operatives and marketers.

Three, broadcasting contributes largely to the economy of the country through advertising revenue, taxation and value added tax (VAT).

And finally with the digitization era we are into, equipment manufacturers will go to work and the country also benefits.

1. Advising the Federal Government generally on the implementation of the National Mass Communication Policy with particular reference to broadcasting.

2. Receiving, Processing and considering applications for the ownership of radio and television stations including cable television services, direct satellite broadcast and any other medium of broadcasting.

3. Recommending applications through the Minister to the President, Commander in chief of the Armed Forces for the grant of radio and television licences.

4. Regulating and controlling the broadcast industry;

5. Undertaking research and development in the broadcast industry;

6. Receiving, considering and investigating complaints from individuals and bodies corporate regarding the content of a broadcast and the conduct of a broadcasting station;

7. Upholding the principles of equity and fairness in broadcasting.

8. Establishing and disseminating a national broadcasting code and setting standards with regard to the contents and quality of materials for broadcast;

9. Promoting Nigerian indigenous cultures, moral and community life through broadcasting;

10. Promoting authenticated radio and television audience measurements and penetration.

11. Initiating and harmonizing government policies on transborder direct transmission and reception in Nigeria.

12. Regulating ethical standards and technical excellence in public, private and commercial broadcast stations in Nigeria.

13. Monitoring broadcasting for harmful emission, interference and illegal broadcasting;

14. Determining and applying sanctions including revocation of licence of defaulting stations which do not operate in accordance with the broadcast code and in the public interest.

15. Approving the transmitter power, location of stations, areas of coverage as well as regulate types of broadcast equipment to be used; and,

16. Carrying out such other activities as are necessary or expedient for the full discharge of all or any of the functions conferred on it under, or pursuant to this Decree (Act).

According to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code: All political programmes shall observe the provisions of extant acts, decrees and electoral laws. Equitable air time shall be provided to the various religions in the community. Why is the NBC not punishing broadcast stations as often they break the law? Because NBC elects to be more preventive and corrective rather than punitive. This is to encourage the growth of the broadcast industry. However, where necessary, NBC also wields the big stick.

NBC operates through the zonal and state offices. Monitoring Officers in these offices monitor stations under their zones/offices and file in reports through the Zonal Director to the Director General.

NBC is headed by a Director General who is the chief executive of the Commission and responsible for the day-to-day running of the organization. Under his office there are three units: The Public Affairs, Legal and Internal Audit departments. There are 5 Directorates in the Commission, viz: Office of the Secretary to the Commission; Broadcast Content and Zonal Coordination; Broadcast Policy and Research; Engineering/Technology; Management Services. There are ten Zonal Offices across the country in addition to fourteen state offices.

NBC issues licence for the ownership of radio television station services, direct satellite broadcast, dealership license for broadcast equipment,  and any other medium of broadcasting.

 How many radios, television and cable stations are in operation in Nigeria at the moment? There are 100 radios, 147 television, 35 cable, 5 direct to home and 4 direct broadcast satellite stations on air at the moment.

The following steps should be taken when applying for a broadcast licence:

1. Incorporate a limited liability company with Nigerians holding majority shares; register same with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

2. Purchase an application form from Finance Directorate of the commission. This entitles you to a copy of the National Broadcasting Code (and the acts) which you need to study before filling your application form. The filled form is returned to the commission with a detailed feasibility study on your proposed station;

3. Fill in and return the form to the office of the secretary to the commission stating clearly how you intend to utilize the LICENCE i.e. radio or television, open or scrambled broadcast or cable/satellite retransmission, satellite television. The application is processed through the Honourable Minister of Information and Communications to the President and Commander in- chief, who gives final approval to the applying company, which is expected to pay for the LICENCE for which it is issued, and appropriate frequencies are allocated.