1.1 Introduction
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Electricity is one of the fundamental drivers of modern economic and social development. It serves as the backbone for technological progress and industrial growth, as well as an essential resource for communication and information dissemination (Nwanze, 2015). Power, in this context, refers to the supply of electrical energy that enables the functioning of machinery, equipment, and other devices necessary for daily operations in various sectors, including the media. The media industry, particularly broadcasting, depends heavily on electricity for production, editing, transmission, and distribution of information to the public (Oso & Pate, 2011).
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In Nigeria, the issue of inadequate and unreliable power supply has persisted for decades and continues to impede development across multiple sectors. Power outages defined as the sudden loss or interruption of electrical supply has become a common occurrence that affects both private and public institutions (Asemah, 2011).
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As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, research questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
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1.2 Background of Study
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Electric power remains a vital component of modern industrial and communication systems, forming the foundation upon which development and productivity depend. According to Nwanze (2015), electricity is the lifeblood of every economy, as it facilitates efficient production, service delivery, and communication. in the media industry, power supply is indispensable because it drives all stages of content creation and dissemination from recording and editing to transmission and broadcast. Without a stable power supply, the operations of media organizations become severely impaired, leading to a decline in performance and effectiveness.
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Asemah (2011) asserted that the mass media play an essential role in promoting national development by informing, educating, and entertaining the populace. However, this role is greatly hindered in societies where electricity supply is unreliable or inconsistent. Power outages disrupt broadcasting schedules, interfere with live programs, and compromise the timeliness of news dissemination. Okoro and Agbo (2018) reported that frequent interruptions in power supply have a direct negative impact on the performance of broadcasting stations in Nigeria, forcing them to rely on alternative sources of energy such as generators and inverters, which are costly and often unsustainable (Okoro and Agbo, 2018).
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Oso and Pate (2011) affirmed that Nigerian media houses operate under harsh infrastructural conditions, with inadequate power supply being one of the most persistent challenges. They contended that the instability in electricity supply has resulted in increased operational costs, poor service delivery, and loss of audience confidence. Similarly, Udomisor (2013) stated that media organizations in Nigeria, especially public service broadcasters, are more vulnerable to the effects of erratic power supply due to limited financial resources and dependence on government funding (Udomisor, 2013).
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The Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA), as a public service broadcasting organization, is not exempt from these challenges. BCA’s mandate is to inform, educate, and entertain the residents of Abia State and beyond, but its effectiveness is often compromised by frequent power interruptions. Furthermore, the corporation spends a significant portion of its limited budget on alternative energy sources such as diesel and generator maintenance, which affects other operational priorities like staff welfare, equipment maintenance, and content production.
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According to Eze (2019), the Nigerian power sector continues to face systemic inefficiencies such as poor infrastructure, low generation capacity, and inadequate distribution networks. The Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, operating within this larger context, struggles to maintain uninterrupted broadcasting services due to these recurring power failures. The implications extend beyond operational difficulties to include reduced audience engagement, financial strain, and reputational damage.
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In addition, Adeyemi (2020) reported that the frequent use of generators and other fossil-fuel-based alternatives poses environmental and health concerns, as emissions contribute to air pollution and noise disturbances around media premises. This not only raises sustainability issues but also increases maintenance costs, further straining organizational resources. On the other hand, the absence of reliable power supply undermines technological advancement within the media sector, as the adoption of digital broadcasting tools and modern communication technologies requires consistent and stable electricity. Therefore, the impact of power outages on the performance of media houses extends beyond operational inefficiency it threatens the very role of the media as an agent of social communication, public accountability, and national development. This study is set against the backdrop of examining the effects of power outages on the performance of media houses.
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1.3 Statement of Problems
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In Nigeria, and specifically in Abia State, persistent power outages have remained a significant challenge confronting the media industry. The Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA), like many other media organizations, depends heavily on electricity for its day-to-day operations such as production, editing, transmission, and live broadcasting. However, frequent interruptions in power supply disrupt these activities and compromise the quality and timeliness of content delivery to the public.
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Additionally, power outages often lead to delays in program scheduling, interruption of live broadcasts, and loss of valuable airtime revenue, thereby affecting the overall performance and credibility of the organization. Media houses are forced to rely on alternative power sources such as generators, which are not only costly but also unsustainable in the long run.
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On the other hand, the instability in power supply also demoralizes employees who depend on a stable work environment to carry out their functions effectively. Journalists, technicians, and administrative staff experience frustration and reduced productivity due to the unpredictable nature of the power supply.
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Furthermore, the inefficiency of the national power grid and the inability of media houses to generate sufficient alternative energy sources deepen the operational crisis. The Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, being a public service media outfit, operates within a constrained budget that limits its capacity to maintain continuous broadcasting during prolonged blackouts. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to examine the effects of power outages on the performance of media houses, with particular reference to the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA).
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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
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The main aim of this study is to assess the impact of power outages on the performance and efficiency of media houses, with particular reference to the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA).
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The specific objectives of the study are to:
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\r\n- Examine the extent to which power outages affect the operational performance of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State.
\r\n- Identify the challenges faced by BCA as a result of erratic electricity supply.
\r\n- Evaluate the financial implications of power outages on the organization’s productivity.
\r\n- Investigate the effects of power instability on staff efficiency and morale.
\r\n- Assess the alternative energy strategies adopted by BCA to mitigate power challenges.
\r\n- Recommend possible solutions for improving energy reliability and media performance.
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1.5 Research Questions
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Based on the stated objectives, the research study seeks to answer the following questions:
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\r\n- To what extent do power outages affect the operational performance of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State?
\r\n- What challenges does BCA face as a result of erratic electricity supply?
\r\n- How do frequent power interruptions influence the financial performance of the organization?
\r\n- In what ways does power instability affect staff productivity and morale?
\r\n- What alternative power solutions has BCA adopted to mitigate the effects of power outages?
\r\n- What measures can be implemented to ensure consistent and reliable power supply for improved media performance?
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1.6 Research Hypothesis
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In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
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\r\n- H0: Power outages do not have a significant effect on the performance of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA).
\r\n- H1: Power outages have a significant effect on the performance of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA).
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1.7 Significance of Study
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It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will help policymakers and energy providers recognize the urgent need to ensure reliable electricity supply to media organizations as part of national development. For the general public, the study will enhance awareness of the challenges faced by media houses and the importance of reliable energy in the flow of information.
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Furthermore, the study will serve as a reference for future researchers interested in energy management and media performance. In addition, the findings of this research will help media managers and administrators understand the operational challenges caused by power instability and will guide them in developing better strategies for energy management and contingency planning.
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Lastly, the study will contribute to existing literature on media performance and infrastructural development in Nigeria. It will provide future researchers and students with relevant data and analysis that can serve as a foundation for further studies on power supply, media sustainability, and organizational efficiency.
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1.8 Scope of Study
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This study will focus specifically on the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA), located in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. It will cover aspects related to the operational, financial, and human resource performance of the organization as influenced by power outages. The scope will be limited to staff of BCA, including technical, editorial, and administrative departments, as they are directly affected by electricity supply fluctuations in the course of their work.
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1.9 Limitations of the Study
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During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
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\r\n- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
\r\n- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
\r\n- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
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1.10 Definition of Terms
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Power Outage: A temporary or prolonged loss of electrical power that disrupts normal operations and affects production or service delivery (Nwanze, 2015).
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Media House: An organization engaged in the production, transmission, and dissemination of news and entertainment content through channels such as radio, television, and online platforms (Asemah, 2011).
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Performance: The level of efficiency, productivity, and quality demonstrated by an organization in carrying out its functions and achieving its goals (Udomisor, 2013).
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Electricity Supply: The provision of electric energy from generation to end users through transmission and distribution networks (Eze, 2019).
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