which members must comply with. The kind of association advocated here is something similar to the Newspapers Proprietors Council currently in existence in Nigeria. It should be made up of the proprietors of all private broadcasting organisations. Membership could be voluntary. However, nothing prevents such an association of proprietors of broadcasting stations from condemning unbecoming conducts by stations who may not be members of the association. Such an association, in our opinion, would not be duplicating the objectives of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, BON. Infact, BON could be represented in such a council. It is indeed a good development for the broadcasting industry in Nigeria that BON does invite private broadcasting organisations to its meetings since the establishment of the first private broadcasting station in Nigeria. Though they attend as observers. Even if BON goes beyond this to allow full membership by private broadcasting organisations, it is still necessary for private broadcasting organisations to form their own exclusive association. The reason for this suggestion is not farfetched. BON in its original form is an organisation of government- owned broadcasting stations both state and federal governments. Private broadcasting organisations have their peculiar objectives which is mainly to make profits from commercial operations while government-owned media houses may consider their primary objective as bringing government programmes, policies and objectives nearer to the governed. Though the proposed association of proprietors of private broadcasting organisations may not exercise complete control over erring members, they could at least condemn in strong terms, any misdemeanor on the part of a member station and call it to order. Where there is a continuing breach by such station (either by way of indecent programmes or any breach of the broadcasting code or the NBC Decree) the association can threaten such a station with withdrawal of membership of the association. The association should be relevant to all private broadcasting stations by making itself available to intercede for any erring station about to come under the sledge hammer of NBC sanctions. The association can adopt the spirit of "be-your-brother's-keeper" among member stations. Such an association could also play the role of an umpire where two or more member organisations are involved in disagreements with each other. Co-operation among private broadcasting stations can further be enhanced through programme exchange among stations, and operating as a united body in protecting the interests of members collectively. The benefits to be reaped by every member of such an organization are numerous. The basic objective, however, should be the control of private broadcast organisations, to ensure that they operate within the limits of responsible broadcasting, and according to law. 2.
Individual Self-Control by Professional Broadcasters: "It is imperative that professional broadcasters prove they are capable of handling their own affairs not only for their corporate 122