See Below The History Of Nigeria Mass Media

The Nigerian mass media started out with the publication of Iwe Iroyin; that was in 1859. It was published by Rev. Henry Townsend, who was a Briton. … It was learnt that the Nigerian newspapers that were available then contributed greatly to the achievement of Nigeria’s independence from Britain.May 1, 2017

The book then highlighted how the try to stop the newspapers from publishing reports so that they will not use their publications to attack the government, this also forced the federal government to establish its own medium of information, The Morning Post, the publication did not last after revoke by the people who claimed the paper was just working for the government and not really serving its people, that made the government to acquire 60% of Daily Times.

The Daily Times was seen as a fair paper then and the government felt acquiring the paper will allow them to get to the people again.

The activities of Press as highlighted also include battling the military governments of Gen. Olusegun Obsanjo, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and the late Gen. Sanni Abacha, the chapter made it known that the press played a lead role in chasing away the military leaders, although, many people died as many journalists lost their lives during the course of fighting for democracy in Nigeria, Mr. Dele was assassinated by letter bomb and up till this moment, the killers have not yet been identified.

The press also played a major role in ‘sustaining’ the country’s democracy by fighting corruption in the country and highlighted the case of ex-speaker of the House of Assembly, Salisu Buhari, who was ousted after his true identity was revealed by the press, he was trialed and jailed thereafter.

The emergence of Radio and Television was highlighted in chapter 3 and 4. Broadcasting proper started in 1936 when the first Radio Distribution Service (Re-diffusion) was opened in Lagos and distributed the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC London) programmes.

Then in May, 1960, the former western region established its own radio station and on August 28, 1961 witnessed the passage of a bill which gave the Federal Government complete control of the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).

The chapters go on to explain how many decrees were set up by the Federal government including the one which forbids the Federal Government from establishing radio stations outside the four national stations and that the state owned radio stations’ transmitters should not exceed 10 kilowatts.

This however was not the case as the rule was violated as many state radio stations acquired powerful transmitters which could be picked beyond their territory; they also established more radio stations especially the FM station.