Redefining Community Radio Broadcasting in Nigeria

The media communication management system in any nation cannot be isolated from the system of government the nation operates. Hence, the media system cannot function beyond the extent to which government permits it, whether explicitly articulated or implied. The prolonged reluctance of the Nigerian government to allow community radio operation in the country lends credence to this fact. The existing system of radio broadcasting in Nigeria is incapable of enhancing participation, which is a major characteristic of democracy, especially at the grassroots. This has been the situation, despite the fact that radio has attracted the attention of media scholars and civil society, as a viable tool for national development. The potentiality of community radio is at the bottom of the concerted advocacy for the third of the three-tier structure of broadcasting in Nigeria – community broadcasting, to take off in the country. The paper takes a retrospective, circumspective as well as a prospective look at the narrative of community radio broadcasting in Nigeria. Going forward, the paper calls for a redefinition of community broadcast communication management. The redefinition proposed is not totally characteristic of the conventional community radio which has no government involvement, but that which will fit into Nigeria’s peculiar situation. Secondly, the redefinition recommends a change in the habitual emphasis on rural communities when it comes to community radio advocacy. The rising figures of rural-urban migrating populations makes community radio relevant, not only for the rural populace but also the information poor, semi-urban and urban settlers.