08/10/2025
BROADCAST verses PODCAST: THE DELIMA OF THE LATER DAY BROADCASTER.
In recent years, the media landscape in Nigeria has witnessed a noticeable shift in the style and substance of content delivery, particularly among private broadcast stations. The line between broadcasting and podcasting is gradually blurring, as some radio and television presenters now adopt informal, chatty, and sometimes careless approaches reminiscent of podcast culture. While innovation and dynamism are welcome in the ever-evolving world of media, this trend raises an important concern about the erosion of professionalism in broadcasting — an issue that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) must not ignore.
At its core, broadcasting and podcasting are distinct in purpose, regulation, and audience expectation.
Broadcasting refers to the transmission of audio or visual content through licensed frequencies or channels (radio and television) to a broad, diverse public audience. It is guided by strict regulations, editorial policies, and professional ethics. Broadcasters are expected to inform, educate, and entertain within clearly defined boundaries of decency, balance, and accuracy.
Podcasting, on the other hand, is a digital and on-demand form of communication. It allows individuals to record and share conversations or opinions online without the same regulatory oversight. The tone is often informal, personal, and unrestricted, catering to niche audiences who choose to listen.
While both platforms are vital to modern communication, they serve different roles and operate under different standards.
Unfortunately, a growing number of presenters on Nigerian private broadcast stations are now conducting their programmes as though they were running personal podcasts. On-air discussions are increasingly dominated by casual banter, biased opinions, off-script expressions, and a lack of journalistic rigor. The once-sacred studio decorum and ethical discipline that defined broadcast journalism are being sacrificed on the altar of “modernization” and “relatability.”
This trend, though perhaps intended to attract younger audiences, undermines the credibility and authority of the broadcast profession. Listeners tune in to radio and television expecting structured, verified, and responsible content — not the conversational free-for-all typical of podcasts.
Professionalism is the hallmark of broadcasting. Every word uttered on air carries weight because it reaches millions, shapes public opinion, and can influence national discourse. Unlike podcasters, broadcasters represent licensed institutions that are accountable to both the public and the regulator.
Nigeria’s broadcast industry has built a strong reputation over the years through adherence to the NBC Code, editorial discipline, and responsible presentation. Throwing these values away in the name of trendiness risks reducing serious media platforms to the level of unregulated social chatter.
While podcasting remains a valuable innovation that complements traditional media, the NBC must remind broadcasters that the studio is not a podcast space — it is a public service platform that demands decorum, balance, and accountability.
Broadcasting and podcasting can coexist — but they are not the same. One is guided by public responsibility and professional ethics; the other thrives on personal freedom and flexibility. Nigerian broadcasters must remember that professionalism is not old-fashioned; it is what distinguishes a credible journalist from a casual talker.
The time has come for the NBC and media owners to draw the line — so that our airwaves remain a place of trust, quality, and integrity, not just noise and trend chasing.
Anthony Nwizi
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