The mass media, especially radio, television, newspapers, magazines and digital media are very powerful instruments of communication in Nigeria and globally. No doubt, the International Commission for the Study of Communication Problems by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, has harped on their evolution and impact on society.

Specifically, in its report – Communication and Society Today and Tomorrow – popularly known as ‘Many Voices One World’, Mr. Sean MacBride of Ireland and his able team, stated: “The invention of the radio in the first decade of the twentieth century produced a means of long-distance communication that did not depend – like the press – on printing and surface transport, and that could even reach its audience without the requirement of literacy. National leaders, especially in times of crisis, soon discovered the advantages of speaking directly to the population instead of waiting for their utterances to be reported in the newspapers.”

It also disclosed that, “Television newscasts make a powerful impression by enabling viewers to see events as they actually occur; while documentary programmes (whether made as films or on videotape) shape the popular perception of realities, including the realities of distant countries. Improvements in definition, the advent of colour pictures and the invention of the video cassette in the last two decades have increased the vividness of the perception and the range of television use.”

Consequently, we commend the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, an independent National Regulatory institution for Nigeria’s telecommunications industry for taking a bold step to return to the tube with a newly packaged 30-minute weekly television programme, targeted at x-raying the industry and providing awareness for consumers across the country and beyond.

Already, close monitoring of the programme by The Daily, www.thedaily-ng.com, showed that the NCC has very rich content, including news, user experiences, expert opinions and quiz sessions to inform, educate, entertain, motivate, mobilise and integrate viewers and listeners.

Therefore, we appeal to NCC to keep it up, especially as the programme would likely go a long way to enhancing the accomplishment of its mandate as established in the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which was signed into law on the 8th of July 2003 after being passed by both Houses of the National Assembly.

We also urge the public, including stakeholders and others to fully embrace  Telecom Weekly as a way of life, particularly as it promises to be very informative, interactive and engaging, thus enabling them to meet their needs and aspirations.

“The radio version of the programme will also air on Thursdays at 8 p.m. on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Network, for simultaneous transmission to all states of the Federation with all the local FRCN stations expected to hook up during the weekly programme.

“The programme is expected to add to the Commission’s share of voice on radio and television in a bid to provide stakeholders with timely information about developments and issues in the telecommunications industry.

“Apart from simplifying issues about telecommunications services for the average consumer, one of the cardinal foci of the programme will be to continuously create awareness among various stakeholders about the activities and programmes of the Commission as it seeks to achieve regulatory excellence.

“User experiences, gathered through consumer-related events and vox pop, will be used to spice the programme to enable the cross-section of consumers of telecommunications services to learn from such experiences and apply them in the usage of their services.

“Expert opinions will also feature prominently to facilitate the process of creating awareness about the industry. Also, quiz sessions where viewers and listeners will win prizes will be a regular feature of the programme.”