DIGITIZATION OF THE BROADCAST MEDIA Can Nigeria survive the BUG? In 2006, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) declared June 17th, 2015 as the switch off/ switch over date from analogue to digital broadcast transmission across the world. The Digital Terrestrial Transmission (DTT) is the shift from analogue transmission to digital broadcasting. Many countries of the world have recognized the huge benefits derivable from digital broadcasting hence, are making frantic efforts to beat the ITU deadline. The transition from analogue to digital broadcasting involves mainly changing the transmission signals as well as making sure that members of the public buy High Definition television sets and get rid of standard definition television sets. According to the proponents of the digitization, digital broadcasting will guarantee quality programming, audio and visual clarity among many other advantages, which may also include energy savings and more spectrum engagement. Soon after the declaration, countries like Australia and America took the lead in compliance and successfully migrated from analogue to digital broadcasting. South Africa also, recently joined the league of countries that have successfully migrated from analogue to digital broadcasting. Currently, Nigeria and some other third world countries are being used as dumping grounds for outdated (non digital) television sets in the aftermaths of successful digitization by some western nations, under the guise of tokunbor sets. In his reaction to the declaration, Nigeria, under the then president Yar Adua mandated all stake holders in the media industry to ensure that the ‘giant of Africa’ became compliant by June 17, 2012. But this was only a wishful postulation until GEJ came on board and reaffirmed the government’s position. This is 2013 and there seem to be no sign of readiness on the part of the government, in terms of sensitization, public enlightenment or even advertisement in the media. The reality is that most Nigerians will wake up after June 17, 2015 only to find out that their very cherished television sets have suddenly become obsolete; they will no longer receive signals as usual until they go out to buy a Digital Terrestrial Transmission (DTT) decoder. The Nigerian public also, need to be told that television viewing would cease to be free after June 17, 2015. Subscription would become the order of the day whether for private or government owned stations. On his part, the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, once said at the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC)/Yemi Sonde Broadcast Media Stakeholders’ Forum in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State in South west Nigeria that ‘the process would be gradual with effect from June 17, 2012’. Speaking on the theme, “Towards quality broadcasting in digital era,” Maku pointed out that the process would be concluded in 2015 during which all Nigerians would have access to digital broadcasting system right in their homes. He further said: “Nigeria has no choice but to be involved in digital broadcast media.” The questions now are; why are we waiting to comply at the last minute? Why must we always adopt the fire brigade approach? What are the signs that we are really serious about digitization? Digitization Bug: Some television sets which would not work with DTT decoder may need outright replacement with brand new inbuilt digital receivers. Television viewing will cease to be free. Viewers have to subscribe for signals unlike the present case where you just turn on your television set and expect automatic signals. Most streets would turn to junk yard as many will be forced to discard their obsolete television sets. There will be mass rush for DTT decoders. Government may be compelled to grant subsidy or tax holiday to television/DTT decoder importers. Media house employees who may not be willing to convert from analogue to digital operation may lose their jobs. Media owners may be compelled to invest more in training and upgrading of equipments. Obsolete equipment may become waste problems to both the government and media owners. Patrick Ezeh, MEDIA/SHOWBIZ CONSULTANT
Posted on: Wed, 05 Jun 2013 07:41:49 +0000
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