The Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Broadcasters (ANBROAD), Oyo State Chapter, Dr. Opeyemi Ayanrinde, popularly known as MC SWAGGER, has called on Governor Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State House of Assembly, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to take urgent steps toward regulating the state’s media industry.
Addressing journalists at the Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan, Ayanrinde highlighted the numerous challenges facing media professionals in the state, emphasizing the need for government intervention. He stressed that many radio and television station owners lack the necessary knowledge and experience to run media outfits effectively, leading to poor treatment of broadcasters and media practitioners.
“The rate at which radio licenses are granted to media operators should be strictly examined. Not all radio station owners understand the business; many are ignorant of the profession and lack the proper orientation to manage their staff and uphold agreements,” he stated.
Ayanrinde urged the NBC to stop issuing licenses to individuals without prior media experience, arguing that running a media house requires expertise beyond general business knowledge. He lamented that media professionals are often undervalued, with many being hired without clear agreements and later dismissed unfairly.
“We are tired of being used and dumped. Broadcasters deserve respect and value. It’s time for the government to intervene and regulate the media space,” he added.
He further emphasized the role of media in upholding democracy and ensuring freedom of expression, calling for a structured approach to regulation that balances media freedom with accountability.
Ayanrinde outlined critical areas that require statutory regulation, including:
- Broadcasting regulation and frequency allocation
- Infrastructural development for media outfits
- Regulation of online news platforms run by non-professionals
- Advertising standards and election broadcasting guidelines
- Protection of public media independence and operational autonomy
- Professional verification for media ownership before license issuance
- Promotion of media diversity
- Licensing and taxation policies for media organizations
He called for the enforcement of codes of conduct for journalists, structured complaint mechanisms, training programs, and ethical advertising and content dissemination processes.
Concluding his remarks, Ayanrinde urged the Oyo State Government, the House of Assembly, and NBC to hold direct engagements with media stakeholders to implement these reforms and ensure that broadcasters receive the respect and fair treatment they deserve.
