Government Promises Support As Digitisation Takes Off In Jos
Federal Government of Nigeria has assured Nigerians of a smooth digital switchover from analogue to digital terrestrial television transmission by providing adequate funding and necessary legislative backing to ensure an effective digitisation process.
Information Minister, Labaran Maku, gave the assurance in Jos, the Plateau State capital, at the flag-off of the Jos Pilot City digital switch over as he expressed the government’s commitment to ensuring a successful exercise.
Maku, according to AIT reports said that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) would provide necessary support in the actualisation of the 2015 digitisation deadline.
The event brought together media professionals, politicians and technicians in the media industry to chart a new cause towards the much awaited digitisation process.
With over 40 million analogue television users in Nigeria, expected to switch over to the digital platform, there is the need for massive publicity and campaign as the people need to be informed and educated on the process.
There are numerous plans on ground by the NBC in reaching out to the public through aggressive campaign and publicity on the switch over process as enumerated by the commission.
Several benefits await the nation in terms of higher quality audio and video, efficient signal processing and flexibility in programming editing as well as mass employment as explained by former national broadcasting director general.
The flag-off of the Jos Pilot City switch over marks the beginning of a new phase in the broadcast industry as the campaign from analogue to digital terrestrial television transmission commences.
While the broadcast industry strives to acquire necessary equipment that will guarantee quality and rich content programming, efforts should be intensified to make the setup boxes available and affordable to all television viewing households.
