THE MEDIA AND PROMOTION OF NIGERIA’S INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES

Abstract

Language is the lifeblood of the media. Language is to the media what the blood is to the human body. It is, therefore, extremely difficult for the media to exist or function without what gives it life and sustains it, namely, language. Among the roles played by the mass media include using language to inform people about its (language) existence and growth. The media educate the public on the need to develop and preserve their language by means of broadcasts, printed materials and other socio-political activities. When a language is facing endangerment, gradually disappearing or becoming extinction, it is the media that may raise alarm. Thus, the media institutions are readily available and reliable avenues through which people know about their language and its status. They are, therefore, veritable tools for the promotion and sustenance of languages. But, the extent to which the media have fared in popularising and sustaining the indigenous languages of Nigeria through their different outlets and activities leaves much to be desired. The goal of this paper is to examine ways the Nigerian media can utilise their different outlets to enhance the various native languages of Nigeria. Using library information and expository research methods, this paper examined the activities of the media in Nigeria and how they can further advance the promotion of the indigenous languages.