A new body has been inaugurated to govern the practice of broadcasting as a profession in Nigeria to improve the quality of the country’s media ecosystem. The organisation known as the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB) is tasked with coordinating, setting standards, admitting and issuing certifications of practice to all professional broadcasters in the country.
SNB membership is open to established and aspiring broadcasters in four categories: full membership, associate membership, student membership, and SBN fellowship, all of which have specific entry requirements.
The Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, John Ugbe, said during the launch of SBN at Channels Television’s global headquarters in Lagos that the organisation will focus on broadcast professionalism. Dr John Momoh, Chairman of Channels Media Group, stressed the importance of repositioning the media landscape with the onboarding of the new body for broadcasters in his remarks.
“As we all know, broadcasting is one of Nigeria’s longest existing professions and the most powerful organ of communication,” he said. “However, a glance at many of Nigeria’s professions demonstrates the necessity for us to create the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters,” he added.
“We have the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, to name but a few who have the backing of the law and regulate their profession and the professionals.”
“The need for us to resurrect the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters has thus become imperative.” We need to form a regulatory body to regulate the profession.”
According to Momoh, appropriate standardisation of broadcasting equipment is necessary, especially in this digital era.
He also urged broadcasting professionals and organisations to promote peace, development, and harmonious co-existence, while prioritising Nigerian culture.
