Key Takeaways:
- The Minister of Information is pushing for tech upgrades for federal media.
- There’s a growing call to restructure NTA, FRCN, and VON.
- The ‘Daily Times,’ once a national treasure, needs to be recovered.
- Investing in equipment alone isn’t enough; a strategic overhaul is crucial.
Remembering the Glory Days of Daily Times
A recent symposium honoring a former Director of the Times Journalism Institute (TJI) brought back memories of the iconic “Daily Times.” It was once a strategic national asset, a true paradise for journalism. But curious privatization efforts diminished its stature, leaving a void in Nigeria’s media landscape.
Think about it: the Daily Times digital library alone could be a goldmine today! A reliable archive of our nation’s history, accessible to students, researchers, and anyone seeking institutional memory. Sadly, even the National Library in Abuja remains incomplete after decades. The ‘Daily Times’ library could have been our own Library of Congress, a powerhouse of information and a source of national pride.
The Minister’s Upgrade Plan: A Step in the Right Direction?
News from Las Vegas indicates that the Federal Government is planning a “Technical Upgrade for Media Organizations.” Minister Idris Malagi emphasized investing in cutting-edge technologies and state-of-the-art equipment for federal media outlets.
The goal? To upgrade and replace obsolete infrastructure across radio and television stations. The ministry aims to partner with broadcast equipment manufacturers, offering local broadcasters access to emerging technologies and specialized training.
Beyond Equipment: The Need for Strategic Restructuring
While upgrading equipment is essential, it’s not the whole story. We need a strategic overhaul of Nigeria’s public information management system. The current infrastructure is weak, hindering its ability to serve the public good in the 21st century.
Instead of just focusing on the ‘federal government-owned organizations,’ we should view NTA, FRCN, and VON as public broadcasters. Like the BBC and SABC, they should serve the public interest, with parliamentary oversight, not government control.
Time to Restructure NTA, FRCN, and VON
It’s time to revisit the restructuring of NTA, FRCN, and VON. These institutions, once pillars of Nigerian media, have suffered from years of neglect and mismanagement. No government has truly added value since their takeover. It’s time to break free from the cycle of decline.
Why is it that talented Nigerian journalists like Toyosi Ogunseye find opportunities at the BBC, a thriving public broadcaster, rather than a revitalized Nigerian Broadcasting Service (NBS)? How can we create an environment where our public broadcasters attract and retain the best talent?
Learning from Others: The Daily Graphic Example
Consider Ghana’s state-owned newspaper, the Daily Graphic. It’s a well-produced, influential, and commercially successful newspaper. It demonstrates that state-owned media can thrive with the right approach.
The Daily Graphic shares a similar history with our own Daily Times, seized by the military and later sold off. But unlike the Daily Times, it has flourished, serving as a vital source of information and a point of national pride.
A Call to Action
Minister Malagi’s efforts to upgrade media equipment are commendable. But let’s not stop there. Let’s seize this opportunity to restructure NTA, FRCN, VON, and recover the Daily Times. It’s time to build a media landscape that truly serves the Nigerian people.
