PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN BROADCAST MEDIA: A CASE STUDY OF NTA CHANNEL 6 AND MAGIC FM 102.9, ABA, ABIA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the preservation and conservation practices in broadcast media with particular reference to the NTA Channel 6 and Magic FM 102.9 Aba, Abia State in Nigeria. The specific objectives include identifying the types of records, examining the preservation and conservation practices, identifying threats to records, understanding the challenges in preservation and conservation, and suggesting strategies for effective preservation and conservation of records. This study adopted qualitative research design, a semi-structured interview was used to collect data from the Record Manager of NTA Channel 6 and the General Manager of Magic FM 102.9 Aba. A purposeful sampling strategy was adopted and ensured that the participants had expertise and experience in records management. The data collected from the interviews was transcribed and analyzed. Findings revealed that NTA Channel 6 maintains archives, consisting of news programs, documentaries, talk shows, soap operas, sports coverage, and educational programs, which are documented in physical logbooks, tapes, disks, memory cards, flash drives, hard drives, and filing cabinets. Similarly, Magic FM 102.9 upholds documentation comprising music playlists, advertising schedules, listener demographics, as well as records of interviews, live performances, and special events. NTA Channel 6 employs traditional preservation and conservation methods involving meticulous storage, limited digitization, and restoration, while Magic FM 102.9 predominantly relies on digital archiving systems and cloud storage. The records at both NTA Channel 6 and Magic FM 102.9 face threats from natural disasters, technological obsolescence, and human oversights, with challenges encompassing the deterioration of physical media, technological malfunctions, absence of formal preservation policies, and financial constraints. The study recommended the formulation of preservation and conservation policies for a comprehensive records management system, assessing physical records and implementing preservation measures, embracing digital preservation techniques, improving training for records managers, and collaborating with preservation experts for effective preservation and conservation strategies.