NTA: Facing the challenge of modern broadcasting
The public-own medium like the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) occupies a very strategic place in shaping events in Nigeria, promoting national consciousness and enhancing peace and unity in Nigeria. The traditional and constitutional obligations of monitoring governance, serving as watchdog of the society and promoting democratic tenets must at all times be the cardinal objectives […]
The public-own medium like the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) occupies a very strategic place in shaping events in Nigeria, promoting national consciousness and enhancing peace and unity in Nigeria. The traditional and constitutional obligations of monitoring governance, serving as watchdog of the society and promoting democratic tenets must at all times be the cardinal objectives of the media; and NTA under the current board is not ignorant of this challenge.
The management of NTA, headed by Malam Usman Magawata, has shown commitment to in promotion of efficiency, credibility, innovation in news broadcasting and programming with the aim of providing viewers more choices of quality programmes and credible news. This was made possible with the introduction of four new channels namely NTA Channel 24, NTA Entertainment, NTA Knowledge and NTA Sports, all of which are currently showing on Startimes TV. Also the current management has added the latest broadcasting techniques with the introduction of Wonder Cube which is a broadcast automation system consisting of six channels which makes it possible for the six channels to play simultaneously completely unmanned, full automation of the operation of NTA Channel 24 and the introduction of 120 Terabyte Capacity Blue Ray archiving system. This system enhances permanent archiving of video materials and can maintain the integrity of archived video for over hundred years.
It is a known fact that NTA has introduced the first Digital Terrestrial Television Network in Nigeria through the joint venture company, NTA-STAR TV which is currently transmitting in six states of the federation with over 600,000 subscribers. In 2009, forty (40) VSAT were installed in all the state capitals across Nigeria, this is to enhance connectivity and news contribution from any part of the country. This has greatly facilitated the timely transmission of breaking news from any part of Nigeria. It is also worthy of note that in a bid to transmit stories of Nigeria interest across the world, news Bureaus have been established in Cairo, Accra, London, Washington and Ottawa to tell African stories from African perspective .
On the area of manpower development, Magawata has embark on periodic training of staff to enhance their capacity and performance and has also ensured that staff are promoted as at when due. This has helped to boost staff morale as many staff members that have stagnated over the years have been promoted.
During 2011 general elections Elections, about sixteen (16) sets of streaming equipment were purchased, which greatly enhanced the coverage of the elections.
For NTA to continue to maintain its record of service, its leadership must be committed to innovative practices, pursuit of excellence and, I can say unequivocally, that Magawata is a square peg in a square hole.
Ivoke Philip Ivoke, wrote from Abuja