Broadcasting in Nigeria’s Indigenous Languages: A Case Study of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (Purity FM, Mgbakwu) and Nigeria Television Authority (NTA, Aba)

Abstract

This study examines the use of Nigeria’s indigenous languages in broadcast stations. The aim of this research is to present an overview of the place given to the indigenous languages as means of transmission in the broadcast stations. The data employed in this research are gotten from Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (Purity FM, Mgbakwu) and Nigeria Television Authority, Aba. The research applied descriptive qualitative method of analysis. The instruments used for data collection during the investigation include; unstructured recorded oral interview. The major findings of the research showed that the Nigeria’s indigenous languages are not given a befitting place in the broadcast stations and this results from lack of airtime sponsorship and the negative attitudes of media practitioners towards the languages. This study recommends the establishment of an official regulator of all forms of broadcasting. The key responsibility will be to facilitate effective use of broadcasting for indigenous languages development and must ensure that broadcast organizations, broadcast in indigenous languages (including minority languages) for a specified number of hours per week during peak and off-peak hours.