By Emeka Mba
I have been meaning to write about the viewing habits of our public officials. Walk into the office of a Nigerian governor or senior official and glance at the television. Odds are, you’ll find it tuned to CNN or BBC, streaming international news round the clock. It’s a curious yet persistent reality in our public spaces—from government buildings to airport lounges, hotels to eateries—foreign news channels dominate the screens.
For me, there’s something deeply unsettling about walking into the office of a Nigerian governor or senior government official—only to see CNN or BBC blaring from the television, 24 hours a day. Not Channels. Not AIT. Not TVC. Not Arise. Not even the station from their own state. It’s almost always a foreign tv channel, and that, for me, is a big issue.
Why are our public institutions addicted to foreign news channels? Why do our elected officials—those charged with representing Nigerian interests—consume global news filtered through Western lenses while ignoring the vibrant media landscape at home? Unless of course they or their surrogates are television, discussing politics or the next election. After that, it’s back to CNN. I have nothing against CNN, but it will be amusing to see a US senator watching AriseTV, as often as we consume CNN broadcasts.
As a broadcaster, who has worked in regulation and public policy, I concede that i have a vested interest, and I wear it proudly. Because this isn’t just about eyeballs on screens. This is about narrative control, and cultural sovereignty. About national consciousness. About whose stories shape our reality.
There are plenty of quality local TV channels in Nigeria—AIT, Channels, Arise, TVC, News Central, Africa Independent Television, AFiA TV and many more. Whilst we may accuse some of our tv channels of political bias, and not doing enough to cover stories that impact on our people, like security, economy etc; but still platforms tell our stories, reflect our struggles, celebrate our wins, and interrogate our failings. They bring our people and our leaders into the same living room. That’s something no foreign channel can do, no matter how slick the graphics or how global the accent.
When every airport lounge, hotel lobby, government reception, and restaurant is tuned to CNN or BBC by default, that’s not neutrality—it’s cultural programming. It’s the slow and steady normalization of the idea that foreign is superior, that what’s happening “over there” matters more than what’s happening here. That our voices are not enough. Our FCT minister’s regular media chat might appear trifling but it serves a good purpose, providing a platform for regular and important engagement for our various news outlets.
I must commend the VIP lounge at Enugu Airport, which consistently airs local channels. It’s a small gesture, but a powerful one. Will be great to have other public spaces across Nigeria doing the same.
Let’s be clear—there’s no such thing as a truly “international” news channel. CNN and BBC have editorial slants shaped by the interests of their home governments, corporations, and audiences. Their coverage is not neutral. It is curated. Crafted. Spun.
When our public officials and elite class consume those narratives exclusively, they are subconsciously aligning with foreign priorities. That widens the gap between them and the citizens they serve. It reinforces dependency. It’s like waking up every morning to polish the very chains that bind us.
This may seem like a minor issue in the grand scheme of governance—but small things have big consequences. A dripping tap may not flood a house, but over time, it will rot the foundation. So, too, does this daily diet of foreign media quietly erode national confidence, narrative control, and media sustainability.
Let’s change the channel; Let’s get our ministries, parastatals, airports, and schools to watch Nigerian news made by Nigerians for Nigerians.