On NTA Versus CNN

Reports have it that the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, is seeking the approval of a N181.5 billion ($500 million) credit facility from President Muhammadu Buhari to revitalise and digitalise the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) such that it can compete with the likes of Cable News Network (CNN).
Digitalisation of NTA is the way to go. In this digital age, there is no way our national TV will remain analogue; more so when the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has set June 17, 2020 for all members of the organization to migrate from analogue to digital. But why the migration and all the other things listed by the minister should cost a whopping N181.5 billion naira beats my imagination.
Again, it is difficult to understand how Mohammed intends to do the magic of transforming NTA, a government-owned station, which is more like the voice of government, to compete with CNN. No doubt, in terms of reach, NTA is an attraction compared to many other private TV stations, particularly in Nigeria. But the same cannot be said about its content. The theory of a piper dictating the tune continues to be the bane of NTA just like other government-owned media organisations. If that continues to be the case, how then can the station compete with CNN, a privately owned medium with a great freedom?  A very tall dream, if you ask me.
In terms of raising the $500 million, the minister should get private investors to invest in the station instead of seeking government loan. Through PPP arrangement, people will invest and insist that the right thing be done and follow it through. That way, the money will be realized and the station will be more attractive.

By: Janet Brown, Opobo Town, Rivers State.