Abstract

This paper looked at the perspectives of broadcasting, politics and national interest in this era of widespread security concerns. It focused on the linkages between broadcasting, politics and the dynamics of national interest and security concerns in Nigeria. It examined the existing Nigerian broadcasting architecture, behavior, performance, coverage and limitations in responding to national strategic issues and contributing to the resolution of evolving challenges in the land. Based on the premise that anybody at any time and at any place in Nigeria should be able to tune to the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and get the latest information in any of the major local languages without waiting for a probable connection at any local level, the paper noted the numerous challenges inhibiting the FRCN to effectively discharge its mandate as Nigeria’s public broadcaster. The paper thus recommended that the Nigerian Federal Government should urgently respond to the challenges and give the FRCN stations a new lease of life by allowing them to experience a renewal as part of the nation’s transformation agenda. The paper also called for the actualization of the community radio dream to fully complete the third tier arm of broadcasting as it is globally practiced.

Key Words: Broadcasting, Politics, Security, National Interest, FRCN.

^JCMRJournal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 6, No. 2, October  2014, 73 – 82 

©Delmas Communications Ltd.

About the authors

Dr. Umaru A. Pate, Ph.D., the Kaigamma of Adamawa, is a Professor in the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.

⃰ ⃰Dr. Eserinune M. Mojaye, Ph.D., the Owena 1 of Uhurie, is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.

†This paper was first presented by the lead author at the Annual National Retreat of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) held at the Tinapa Complex, Calabar in August 2014.

Full Article

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