Communication Media Policy and Regulation: Implications for Mainstreaming e-Learning in Nigeria

Abstract

Issues bordering upon the imperativeness of communication media policy and regulation are, perhaps, no longer open to debate.  Although media and communication governance remains a largely national prerogative, principles, policies and regulations – albeit essentially normative in nature – exist for the administration and regulation of media and communication at inter-governmental and global levels, consequent upon the progressive evolution of new digital technologies, the increasing universality of media access, the paradigm shift towards communication system interoperability and automation, the stride towards virtualization, and the emerging trends in the digitalization of knowledge. This body of policies, principles and regulations expectedly has a bearing on communication media applications, services, and tools.  Emerging trends in training, development and the teaching-learning processes globally reveal a frenzied shift towards the application of digital technologies to facilitate the effectiveness, efficiency, and liberalization of learning. This paper undertakes an overview of international media policy and regulatory framework within the context of national media and communication policy frameworks. It analyses a number of existing and emerging issues in media and communication regulation and examines the implications of these issues on the digitalization of knowledge on one hand and the stride toward mainstreaming e-learning within the context of the Nigerian educational realm on the other hand. Recommendations were also advanced for the mainstreaming of e-learning in Nigeria against the backdrop of national and international media and communication governance frameworks.