Indigenization Paradigm: A Must Shift for Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) Television Programme Content

Television is a conduit for cultural learning, through which the mass society are constantly reminded of their cultural heritage. This paper examined the programming content of Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) television based on the indigenization paradigm with particular interest on the use of indigenous language. It was aimed at determining the percentage of local to foreign content as well as ascertaining the level to which the cultural objectives of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Code are projected through the programme content of AKBC Television. The study adopted a triangulation of qualitative and quantitative research methods and revealed that the AKBC television aligns its programmes to achieve these objectives, as the station has 76.4% local content against 23.6% foreign content. Programmes with indigenous language make up 5.2% of the local content. Results obtained supported the station‟s priority on local content while its use of indigenous language produced both positive and negative reactions. The paper recommends that greater efforts should be geared towards improved production of local content so as to promote the development and sustenance of the diverse cultures, moral and community life of the Akwa Ibom people in particular and Nigeria at large.

Key Words: Television, Programme, Local Content, Indigenous Language, Culture