NIGERIA
3.2 The appointment’s procedure for members of the 			
regulatory body is open and transparent and involves civil 		
society.
ANALYSIS:
There is hardly any deference to transparency or civil society with
the exception of one of the states in which members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) are appointed to the board of state
broadcasting.
The Acts establishing National Television and Radio stipulate how
their boards should be constituted, but it is the minister’s appointees, representing government that get on the board.
SCORES:
Individual scores:			

1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1

Total score:				

11

Average score:			

1.0

3.3		 The body regulates broadcasting in the public interest and 		
		 ensures fairness and a diversity of views broadly represent		 ing society at large.
ANALYSIS:
Governmental rather than public interest prevails here. The broadcasting code for example has a sanctions procedure that requires
inquiry, explanations and the right to reply on the part of “offending” stations. But often these processes are not being followed as in
the case of the recent closure of a TVstation . Similarly, although a
station suspended by the regulatory body can in theory seek redress
in the courts, the length and cumbersome nature of this option
makes it unsatisfactory. As part of its obligations, the NBC listens to
22				

African Media Barometer - Nigeria 2008

Select target paragraph3