A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEMS FACING PRIVATE TELEVISIONS AND GOVERNMENT TELEVISIONS IN THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION IN NIGERIA ( CASE STUDY OF SILVERBIRD AND NTA)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background of the study

Though both private and government owned television are established for the purposes of dissemination of information to their  guidance, yet they are confronted with some problems. These problems range  from their ownership to management, which no doubt have affected both polices and operations, finance case studies. Both of the media houses utilize electronic magnetic waves in reading  divisive audience but by comparative analysis, the factors of ownership and media policy differ them in  terms of styles, objectives, operations etc. In this circumstance, comparative analysis of the researcher is based on  case studies of both silverbird television, a private television and that of NTA Channel 12 Owerri a government owned television house. We  shall look at the history of Television stations in Nigeria and specifically the problems facing the  two. Television was this introduced by the defunct Western Region Government in 1959, which was then known as Western Nigeria Broadcasting the Federal Government.

At present Nigeria has well over 30 Television stations.  The silverbird television was established in 2003 while  NTA Owerri  was established 2003, According to the book mass media purpose, principles and practices  written by BEN AGBO AND NKEM FAB-UKOZOR, say that the coverage of Television is limited to the urban centers which in effect indicate that the audience for television come from the towns. There is evidence in this paper that television broadcasting in Nigeria was not people-  oriented but a policy toll and propaganda but at present, some fairness, balance can be observed  in some especially the privately owned ones.

1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

Both Government owned and private television  stations are of immense importance to the society minding the roles  which they play accordingly information, education and entertainment.

Taking cognizance of the fact that there is growth of advertising and there is privatization of the broadcast media.

The Television broadcasting are sure to greatly influence the lives of Nigerians positively and  of course negatively,

In this regard, we shall attempt to make comparative analysis on both privately owned and government owned television station, with a focus on problems facing them.

1.2    OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

It is the objective of this paper to make comparative analysis on the problem facing with private and government owned Television station. It is also to proffer solutions to such problems. Another objective of this study is also  to determine the historical evolution and development of broadcasting in Nigeria.

1.3    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will help us determine the factors  which constitute problems to both private and government television broadcasting stations and also  to know the extent with  which the problems have reached and the  study will also suggest solutions to the problems. As a result of the fact that the organization might not  have time and also the resources both manpower and other wise to  research into this topic, this very work would therefore, present a comprehensive and factual information or knowledge of their operations in the state. By acknowledging the  facts put up more efforts to improve or automatically correcting the problems existing in the station. On the other hand, as a station owned and finance by the government and private, a knowledge of the station’s problems is a step towards solving it. The public in general  will benefit from  the findings of this research and the solutions if implemented by the management of government and private television station,     their conditions  and level of service will improve and the public  will have cause to enjoy and identify with the  station the more especially students of mass communication will always find this work valuable as it serve as a  reference  materials for them.

1.4    RESEARCH  QUESTIONS

In this regard, the research was conducted in two various stations government and private   owned.

The following were asked during the interview

1)      What are the problems of information dissemination facing silverbird Television

2)       What  are the problems facing NTA Channel 12 Owerri in the cause of dissemination of information.

3)       What are the distinguishing factors between management of government owned television stations and the private television stations.

1.5    RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

Hi:   Government and private television has problems that hamper their dissemination of  information in Nigeria

Ho: Government and private television do not have problems that hamper their dissemination of information in Nigeria

H2: Information disseminated through private television station are more objectives than these disseminated through government  owned Television station, owing to nature of finance, and control.

H3: Private Television studies offer greater opportunities to the political  class for political  campaigns  than the government owned television studio  since the later sects its  clines based on for political interests.

 Ho Private  Television studies do not offer greater opportunities to the political class for political campaigns than the government owned television studio since the later selects its clients based on for political interests.

H4:  Journalists under private Television studies are more versatile and aggressive than these under the employ of Government owned television  studios.   

Ho:  Journalists under private Television studies are not more versatile and aggressive than those under the employ of government owned  television studios.

1.6  CONCEPTUAL AND OPERATIONAL DEFINITION

A comparative analysis conceptual characterized by systematic examination of something by analyzing on simulates and dissimilarities

Operational: systematic examination of the likeness and  dissimilates of the problems of both private and government television stations

B.    MEDIA PREFERENCE

Conceptual: The liking for private Television rather than government owned Television.

Operational:  The level of liking for private television rather than government owned, television by the Nigeria viewing audience respectively.

1.8  ASSUMPTIONS

That both private and government owned Television have the fundamental role of disseminating information to the public.

That because of  the way and manner the Television stations are established that the ownership and established that the ownership and editorial  policies differ. That both  private and government owned Televisions are  confronted by problems raging from their different patterns of finance, control and recruitment.

1.8  LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

In a study of this nature, many problems are always encountered.

This study is limited to NTA channel 12, Owerri and MINAJ Television stations, Obos;. Some of my major handicap were financed, Time and energy and other reasons, that make in impossible to cover other television stations finance is a serious constraints  to me. I could not get to certain areas to sample opinions.  Irrespective of all this, I still manage to pick certain individuals from these areas who are living in the state capitals.  This was purportedly done to enable me obtain a balance and a reliable opinions from all the zones in the state. Besides Time and energy could not allow me the opportunity to visit some of the department in government and private owned Television station at least to get their views and ideas on the research topic.  As a result of lack of time were unable to exhaust my questionnaire from my respondent.  But all said and done, it was not an easy task.