"This may
affect about 40 radio and television stations spread across the North-East,
North-West and North-Central, who collectively employ about 40,000 personnel in
diverse fields such as engineering, journalism, administration,
marketing," Ramalan said.
The Northern
Broadcast Media Owners Association have asked the Nigerian Government to
intervene and rescue them from shutting down operations due to a lack of
revenue inflow caused by the Coronavirus outbreak.
The group in a
statement by its chairman, Dr Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, said COVID-19 had paralysed
businesses across the world, which has affected advertising revenue stations
used to rely on to stay operational.
"This may
affect about 40 radio and television stations spread across the North-East,
North-West and North-Central, who collectively employ about 40,000 personnel in
diverse fields such as engineering, journalism, administration,
marketing," Ramalan said.
He said broadcast
stations, which are essential in disseminating information and sensitisation
about COVID-19, are having to compete fiercely for the small advertising
revenue available.
"Even before
the advent of the COVID-19 scourge, NBMOA member stations have operated on
meagre revenues due to the absence of big industry in the region as we all
shared from a small basket of advertising revenue that occasionally trickled in
from Lagos-based advertising agencies; alas, as it is, even agency revenue has
been eclipsed by the effects of the COVID-19 on our national economy. We are
unarguably in a precarious situation. Thus, we are in need of help.
"We have also
been in the forefront of accentuating sensitisation campaigns against
terrorism, banditry and kidnappings at all three tiers of administration in the
country, as well as consistently broadcasting contents in support of publicity
efforts of government on the COVID-19 at no cost.
"We remain
committed to the time honoured function of informing and educating society, and
keeping diverse audiences abreast of government policies at all times, more so
during this most trying period that requires broader collective efforts in
taming the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic from further harm to our citizens and to
our nation’s socio-economic life," he concluded.
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