Amid the global push to address the potential challenges of new media while fostering innovation, a prime candidate for regulatory export, Jonah Ubanmhen plans to take center stage with a call to action, emphasizing the need for immediate and quick action.
However, the Institutional Reformer’s drive to lay the groundwork for the export of regulatory policies and programs for new media has so far been mostly influenced by a mix of research, education, and international collaboration and his focus is on the new initiative landscape. In an excerpt released in advance by his office, Jonah emphasized a paradigm shift in the landscape of broadcasting, stating that no one would deny that new media, much like any other sector of the economy, will require some regulation.
Recognizing the need for urgency and responsibility, Jonah outlined his goal of seizing the potential that lies within the broadcast sector and ensuring Nigeria’s dominance in the field, insisting its record in the sector will make others listen to this emerging-market country. At the center of his grand plan is to convene like-minded experts in Nigeria in the coming weeks to discuss the huge potential of the innovation and how best to regulate it. He has also expressed interest in Nigeria hosting a number of existing regulators to oversee this crucial initiative and promotes the creative use of this technology.
Unlike some other businesses, new media companies have been seeking innovative ways to raise capital from public institutions and government agencies, in order to give Nigeria a first-mover advantage, leveraging on this initiative is a soft power to boost Nigeria’s broadcast sector. He said, “New media is evolving quickly and we need to make sure that our regulation can evolve swiftly and efficiently as well.” Jonah underscores the role of the new media in driving Nigeria’s economic growth and the need for the government’s collaboration and support for technopreneurs to capitalize on transformative innovations such as mobile journalism, cloudtv, and internet meeting platforms as the start of a new way to tell a story, often likened to the internet’s arrival.
Speaking with KAFTAN Post, Jonah announced that in the second half of 2023, his team will lead a vigorous campaign on the possibilities that new media presents alongside its necessary regulations. According to him, “The possibilities are extraordinary. But we must – and we will – do it efficiently”.
While it is not clear what Nigeria’s plans are about new media regulation, Jonah added that the country cannot rest and be satisfied with the progress made in the past. We must act and act quickly if we want Nigeria to take a leading role in the world as a “global architecture for innovative businesses. That is my goal and I feel a sense of urgency and responsibility to make sure that we seize it “. He believes that new media presents “an opportunity for advancement and progress in humanity that could surpass the industrial age in speed”.
“These initiatives serve as the foundation and it is essential for both the public and private sectors to closely collaborate and support the creative ideas of the younger generation across the new media space” Jonah concluded by saying that the country cannot be satisfied with its most populous Black Nation slogan but being the geographical home of new media safety regulation in the world.”
