BIG BROTHER NIGERIA: ITS VIOLATIONS AGAINST NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMMISSION REGULATIONS.

Abstract

Big Brother Nigeria is a reality show in which a group of persons are brought together while being continuously watched by the viewing public in a house through a television camera. In this reality TV show, contestants are confined in a house and compete to escape eviction so as to win prizes ranging from large sums of money to exotic cars and business contracts. The reality TV show was first debut in Nigeria in 2006. This study investigated the patterns and extent of obscene and uncensored content aired on the Big Brother Nigeria show to ascertain if the contents reflect the value and guidelines layer down by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in promoting Nigerians culture and value. This study adopted content analysis as a design tool and twelve episodes of the show were analyzed while one hundred and twenty sexual acts were identified in the show. The result of this study showed a high concentration of sexual acts ranging from kissing, caressing, touching, erotic dances, intercourse, etc similarly their inappropriate mode of dressing such as skimpy skirts, transparent dresses, bum shorts were all worn on the Big Brother Naija show. This show goes against our culture and attacks the root of society which is morality because our culture preaches against nudity, use of foul languages, public display of affection and sex on the television screen. These findings recommend that the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission should sanction the Big Brother Nigeria show when not to be broadcast content (NTBB) are aired on the show and they should be afraid of powerful interests to expose the public to such ignominy and immorality.  Parents and guidance should also protect their teenagers from viewing X-rated contents or shows on cable TV. Therefore, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission still has a lot to do in ensuring quality broadcast content are presented to the viewing public.