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Abstract
The study examined the turbulent journey of the media practice in Nigeria for the past two decades before and after deregulation . It reflects the media as an agent of development that cannot be dissipated because of their pervasiveness but rather be seen as an impeccable tool of social order which made commendable impacts in the nation's social-economic development. The paper employs both the primary and secondary data sources in its methodology. The primary source utilized interpersonal interview of media experts, scholars, seasoned Journalists, public analysts and policy makers while the secondary is sourced from Libraries, Archives, Newspapers, Magazines and other Desk studies.
The theoretical perspective is on the Agenda Setting Theory which established the media as an inevitable vehicle of policy formulation and dissemination. The study found that lackadaisical attitude of the Regulatory and professional bodies particularly on the issues of ethical conducts and practitioners' welfare poses a serious concern for the media industry in Nigeria. The paper concludes by advocating for a more robust media practice and effective monitoring by media regulatory agencies as well as the professional groups towards sustaining the fourth Estate role of the media in Nigeria. It equally recommends media training, acquisition of management skills and sound ethical practices for a virile future for media practice in Nigeria.
Introduction
Broadcasting started in Nigeria with the radio broadcasting in 1936. It started as a relay of the British Empire services (Williams A. Hachten 1971). Raufu, (2011:56) observes that, "before tth he fourth decade of the 20 century, the British colonialists had depended on the print media for publicity and propaganda and they later added radio to their arsenal of information dissemination".
The pattern of operation was not indigenous, and on this Raufu (ibid) continues, that the station began operations with "the establishment of a relay station in Victoria Island, Lagos which disseminated broadcast information to major Towns in Nigeria via the wired wireless otherwise known as Rediffussion".
In 1956 with the establishment of what came to be known as Nigerian Broadcast ing Corporation (NBC), broadcasting was incorporated under law and operated under the policies of the Federal Ministry of information. The provisions of this law, called 1956 Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation Ordinance -, stated that "the corporation could carry...