The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria has again called for more investment in technology in the broadcast industry.
The Chairman of the organisation, Mr John Momoh, who is also the Chairman of the Channels Media Group, made the appeal on Tuesday during its 71st General Assembly holding in Portharcourt, the Rivers State Capital.
At a time when the media industry is going through several rapid changes and the digital space has led to a massive disruption/ development in various sectors, Mr Momoh believes that the broadcast industry has to continue to double its efforts so as not to become relegated to the background.
He said, “The digital age which we are in has led to a massive disruption in each sector of our business, and this has brought about a gradual shift in power – away from traditional studios and broadcasters, towards new and innovative content creators.
“Content creators who are now one-step closer to their audiences, and who now wield greater power, in determining what is served up by the media’’.
“It’s a wakeup call for us to re-examine our role as broadcasters, and discern the next step forward, in the complex space of the art of today’s broadcasting”.
Momoh has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting and yet again, he stated that this will improve the nation’s economy.
It is believed that the switch has the capacity to boost sales of television sets and digital video recorders, leading to positive upstream benefits in terms of increased time spent watching TV which will, in turn, boost the economy.
Momoh says it will not only expand the nation’s broadcast space but will provide the opportunity to raise the bar in content creation.
Furthermore, he stressed the fact that in several years from now, regardless of what medium is being used for communication, what will remain important is the quality of content.
He, therefore, urged broadcast industry to continue to devise means of being closer to their audience especially by investing in technology, as well as people.
“The one thing that will remain constant in the picture, is good content.
“What is changing is the way that businesses distribute content, and consumers access them, plus the nature of relationships all along the supply chain.
“The broadcast industry and the media landscape have changed irretrievably. Therefore, we must invest in technology, in people and in content development.
“The digitization process must be focused, and it’s rollout sustainable. We need to work together as a true progressive professional organisation, to drive the change we want to see. It’s either we change with the time, or we shall continue to be consigned to the slow world of analogue experience. We shouldn’t allow that to happen,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of the state who represented the governor called on broadcast organisations to ensure objectivity in the 2019 elections.
As the elections draw closer, the Chairman of the Channels Media Group had also assured Nigerians that himself, as well as the station, remains apolitical in all its dealings.
It is his last address as the Chairman of the BON.
