Local Content Boss tasks Media on Technology, Capacity Building

Media organisations, particularly those in the broadcast media have been charged to adopt emerging technologies and techniques to improve the quality of their productions and offerings to the public.

The Executive Secretary Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Engr. Simbi Wabote gave the advice in Abuja on Tuesday at the opening of the 3-day capacity building workshop sponsored by the Board for staff of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

While acknowledging the giant strides of NTA in the digitization of its broadcasting, the Executive Secretary challenged the station’s Management to champion the adoption of new technologies like Augmented Reality, Virtual reality, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning and Voice-control devices which are changing the way broadcast media operates today.

He also suggested that NTA should spearhead the integration of the 5^th Generation Network into broadcasting in Nigeria in view of the complete convergence of telecommunication and broadcasting.

While commending the Management of NTA for conceiving the capacity building, Wabote stated that constant training and retraining is the only way to build a high performing work force.

“Trainings like this would position NTA to be the TV station of choice for anyone desirous of authoritative and well-balanced information on Nigeria and Nigerians,” he added.

The NCDMB helmsman explained that the Board sponsored the training because NTA plays a vital role in the Board’s quest to implement the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (2010) and achieve Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap.

He stated that the role of NTA and other media organisations included sensitizing stakeholders about Nigerian Content and carrying out investigative journalism to expose non-compliance by players in the industry.

He added that “another important reason why we decided to sponsor this workshop is because it falls within the mandate of Board, one of which is “to engage in targeted capacity building interventions that would deepen indigenous capabilities.”

In his welcome address, the Director General Nigerian Television Authority, Mr. YaKubu Ibn Mohammed thanked the Board for sponsoring the training, hinting that capacity building is a critical aspect of the station’s agenda, especially in the era of the social media.

He charged personnel of the station to improve their quality of reportage and presentation of news and programmes, insisting that “we have a duty to get it right.”

He explained that the mandate of NTA was different from other broadcast stations, and they were not in competition. He said: “We have believability and credibility. NTA is big and influential, and we would not carry stories that will set Nigeria ablaze.”