Compliance to Nigeria Broadcasting Code on Religious Programs: A Comparative Study of Borno Radio Television (BRTV) and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Maiduguri

Abstract

Since 1992, when the broadcast industry was deregulated coupled with the issuing of broadcast licenses to individuals and groups, the Nigerian broadcast industry has seen a mushrooming growth of religious programs on radio and television. Borno Radio Television (BRTV) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) are two broadcast stations situated in Maiduguri, the capital of the Nigerian state of Borno where religion forms core part of the people’s culture. Islamic religious preaching forms a key part of the stations’ programs especially during the annual Ramadan fasting season. The broadcasting industry regulatory body in Nigeria, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) stipulates that religious programs should not exceed a 10% of the total programs of a particular broadcast outlet. Observations have revealed that a large percentage of BRTV and NTA’s airtime is allocated to Islamic preaching during the 29- or 30-day Ramadan fasting period. However, is the airtime allocated to Islamic programs in those stations within the NBC 10% limits or not? To answer this research question, a comparative analysis was made of religious programs broadcast on the two broadcast outlets in the second quarter of 2019. The data were obtained using Key Informant Interviews with 5 personnel from BRTV, NTA and NBC in Maiduguri, and relevant official documents including the stations’ program schedules were reviewed. Key findings suggest that the airtime allocated to religious programs were more than the 10% limit while BRTV Maiduguri allocated more airtime to religious programs than NTA Maiduguri. Also, Islamic religious programs were allocated more airtime than programs of other religions.

Keywords: Broadcasting, BRTV, Nigerian Broadcast Industry, NTA, Television, Religious Programs, NBC, Nigerian Broadcasting Code

DOI: 10.7176/JPCR/47-01

Publication date: December 31^st 2019