Trends in Local Content Broadcasting

Broadcasting in Nigeria has come a long way, observing changing trends and adapting to various innovations. And in all those times, it has been the duty of broadcasters to bring substantial local content into their productions, and that of the regulator to monitor what is being fed to the public.
One may pause to think - what does ‘Nigerian content’ necessarily entail in reference to broadcasting? It may be conveniently perceived as programmes which have Nigerian themes or are Nigeria-centric, showcasing the ways of life of the people living within the geo-political zone known as Nigeria. These programmes could come in the form of news, music, movies and soaps, documentary and shows, among others.
Radio and TV broadcast stations today have incorporated a whole lot of Nigerian content into their daily programming, putting paid to criticisms from certain quarters of the public for frequently airing foreign programmes, especially by TV stations. That is a welcome development which has been made possible by the efforts of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), to get broadcasters to transmit more local programmes that reflect the Nigerian culture and add value to the audience.
Early this year, NBC issued a new regulation on Family Belt programming which read: “Pursuant to section 2(1)(H)(I)(U) and 20(1) of the National Broadcasting Commission Act no 38 of 1992 (as amended), the National Broadcasting Commission hereby directs that from the second quarter of 2009, commencing April 1st, all terrestrial television stations operating in the country are to air only Nigerian Local Content during Family Belt hours, between 7 – 10 pm, as provided in Paragraph 3.13 of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code.”
According to NBC, unless there is a strong editorial justification, programmes and advertisements during the family belt shall be devoid of  sex or overt sexual behaviour; nudity; violence (verbal or physical); bloodletting; smoking; alcohol; drug abuse; denigration of womanhood; offensive, lewd and vulgar language, expression and presentation; exorcism, occult practices and the paranormal (which purport to be real).
In expressing its commitment to the cause, NBC has clearly spelt out the penalties for breaking the rules around Nigerian local content. First violation of the code attracts a fine in the sum of N500,000, payable within 14 days of notice; second violation, in addition to a fine of N1,000,000, leads to a forfeiture of one hour on Family Belt during which the station shall scroll the Commission’s prescribed message only. Further breach necessitates a reduction of daily broadcast hours of the station and may lead to the suspension of license.
These rules and sanctions as stringent as they may seem, are made in a bid to promote local content in broadcast programming, as Nigerian local content would not only make for easy learning and appreciation by local viewers and listeners but also boost the nation’s identity and broadcast independence.
However, it is now up to producers of broadcast contents to step up their game and create programmes that meet international standards in terms of quality of story line, video and sound. Viewers, as well as broadcast station operators have often decried the quality of made in Nigeria programmes; and that may be responsible for the preference for foreign programmes, which they (operators) believe the viewing public enjoy more.
Be that as it may, it is imperative that Nigerian local content be included in the programming of all broadcast stations as a way of showcasing the rich cultural diversity and talents that abound in the country. It would be a very sad thing to turn on the television or radio all day and not find any Nigerian programme on air.