EXAMINE THE MEDIA CONVERGENCE PLATFORMTHAT FALL WITHIN MEDIA CONVAGENCE THEORIES, RELATE IT TO THE THEORIES

CONVERGENCE

In communication terms, Convergence is the coming together of two or more distinct entities, thereby removing entry barriers across the IT, telecoms, media and consumer electronics industries. For instance, taking pictures with a cell phone and surfing the Web on a television are two of the most common examples of this trend, and also the recent innovation of an I-phone being used to shoot a video film in Japan.

MEDIA CONVERGENCE
Media convergence is an economic strategy in which communications companies seek financial benefit by making the various media properties they own work together.

• It is the idea that because of the progress of technology various different types of media (e.g. Computer, Television, Radio and Newspaper) are combining into a single media.

PLATFORM

This is a structure or an organization through which information or applications may be run. For example; a mobile phone is a platform through which consumers can make calls and or generally share data.

MEDIA CONVERGENCE PLATFORM

Media convergence platform is therefore the structure through which the media and telecommunication work together to serve the consumer market.
For instance, SILVERBIRD GROUP explains this as it owns; Radio Station (Rhythm FM), Television Station (Silverbird Television), Online Radio (STV online), Satellite (Silverbird Television), Social Networks (Twitter, Facebook) and others (Mall and Cinema) All above work inter-dependently to reach a common goal of serving the consumer.
Practically, you will see adverts of a new movie to be shown at the galleria on the STV, hear about it on the Rhythms 93.7, you listen and watch it via Silverbird online and you also get updates about the same movie through their Facebook and Twitter pages.

MEDIA CONVERGENCE THEORIES

1.                  Corporate convergence as in ( joint ventures ) between telecom and media companies

2.                  The branching out of traditional print operation into internet publishing or audio/video or mobile.

3.                  Reverse publishing from the web into print

4.                  Production processes, where content is co-coordinated or shared

5.                  the convergence of skills set of previously segregated specialist media practitioners whether reporters, news editor or production personnel

6.                  Convergence of media consumer devices e.g. the camera-cell phone or computers being used to watch video broadcasts.

7.                  The coming together of producer and consumer functions the audience generating media (content).

CASE STUDY: SILVERBIRD GROUP (NIGERIA)
Our case study, Silverbird Group is one of the largest entertainment companies in Nigeria and Africa. Consisting of Silverbird Entertainment, Silverbird Cinema, Rhythm FM and MBGN, it is thought to be third largest media entertainment company in Western Africa.

THEORY 1:

CORPORATE CONVERGENCE (AS IN JOINT VENTURES) BETWEEN TELECOM AND MEDIA COMPANIES.

According to the theory above, which has to do with corporate convergence, the most relevant signs of convergence are to be found with Silverbird Group where the reformation of newsrooms is linked to the redefinition of professional roles, technical innovation and the development of innovative news formats and languages.
In Silverbird Group, most reporters, photojournalists, video-journalists, editors, etc submit their stories, photos or videos through the internet or their mobile phones. Unlike some media platform where editors and reporters work from personal offices/ independent newsrooms which sometimes delay the production of news-stories.
Silverbird Group converges the functions of both telecom and media companies. This is evident in the use of e-mail via mobile phones to share items with the media house which is then broadcast to the consumer market.

THEORY 2:

THE BRANCHING OUT OF TRADITIONAL PRINT OPERATION INTO INTERNET PUBLISHING OR AUDIO/VIDEO OR MOBILE.

Our case study, Silverbird Group has never operated in the traditional print industry and therefore does not directly relate to the above theory.

THEORY 3:

REVERSE PUBLISHING FROM THE WEB INTO PRINT.

Again as earlier stated, Silverbird Group does not directly operate reverse publishing of its online content on print but in some cases for the purpose of wider reach, it advertises some of the same services published on its web page on other media publication e.g. Silverbird Shopping Mall discount offers and Silverbird Galleria movie schedule.

THEORY 4:

PRODUCTION PROCESSES, WHERE CONTENT IS CO-COORDINATED OR SHARED.

Silverbird Group in its production process co-coordinates or shares its content as observable when the same news story heard on Rhythms 93.7 is shown on STV and viewed on STV online.

THEORY 5:

THE CONVERGENCE OF SKILLS SET OF PREVIOUSLY SEGREGATED SPECIALIST, MEDIA PRACTITIONERS WHETHER REPORTERS, NEWS EDITOR OR PRODUCTION PERSONNEL.

Using the convergence of the multi-skilled professionals to examine the Silverbird Group, it can be observed that Silverbird’ journalists are not only trained to report news stories but also to report the audios, photos and videos of the event using their mobile phones or devices. Various workshops have been organized to train their journalist to be skilled and professionally inclined with today’s technology.
The ideal Multi-skilled journalist, as some authors have suggested to label them (Bromley, 1997) would be able to produce news for any medium using any technological tool needed in every step of the process.
Through this strategy, Silverbird Group reduces labour, administrative and material costs, to use the same media content across several media outlets, to attract increased advertising by providing advertisers with package deals and one-stop shopping for a number of media platforms, and to increase brand recognition and brand loyalty among audiences through cross-promotion and cross-selling.

THEORY 6:

CONVERGENCE OF MEDIA CONSUMER DEVICES E.G. THE CAMERA-CELL PHONE OR COMPUTERS BEING USED TO WATCH VIDEO BROADCASTS.

With iphones, apple ipads and HTC among others, Silverbird Group reaches its audience by providing viewable material which is also downloadable via social networks like Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace etc.

THEORY 7:

THE COMING TOGETHER OF PRODUCER AND CONSUMER FUNCTIONS THE AUDIENCE GENERATING MEDIA (CONTENT).

Current media trends do not only seem to diminish the differences among the media, but also the distance between producers and consumer (Jenkins, 2004). The origin of this redefinition of the relationship between journalists and citizens can be found in the qualitative changes in the consumer habits and attitudes (Livingstone, 1999), namely fragmentation, specialization and active participation.
Silverbird Group caters for the above theory through digital distribution technologies which allows for the customization of content thereby eases the production of news that is highly targeted to specific consumer (Tewksbury, 2005). But it is active participation what may have a greater influence in the redefinition of professional journalism.
The use of blogs, wikis and other self-publishing tools by Silverbird Group eased the ability of the netizens (internet-citizens) to produce their own content and potentially reach a global consumer. Nowadays, everyone is a journalist due to the fact that Silverbird Group has provided forums in which the right thinking members of the society (non-journalist) can contribute to the comment/issues facing the society.

CONCLUSION

Following the above theories and expositions, no media organization in Nigeria falls totally into these dimensions. But as clearly depicture by the above explanation, Silverbird Group catered for about 71.4% of the Media Convergence Theories.

Looking ahead to freedom

 Sarat Abdulsalam for The Guardian Newspaper

Ikoyi Prisons inmates acquire skills to become good citizens in future, thanks to PSWA.
In his late 20s, Wasiu Ajumoje, did not look like he could hurt a fly. But he had been detained at the Ikoyi Prisons since 2008 for alleged murder.
Since then, Ajumoje, who hails from Lagos Island, has not appeared in court for once.

He is one of the thousands of 'Awaiting Trial' inmates in Ikoyi and other prisons, whose fate may never be determined until the particularly slow wheel of the nation's justice system turns their way.

As he continues to wait, he has chosen to improve on the carpentry he was an
apprentice in before his troubles began.

When The Guardian spoke with him during a workshop organized by Prison Welfare Support Association (PWSA), he lamented his continued detention without trial, even as he claimed that had he been tried, he would have been acquitted and set free. "I am not a murderer.

"I was learning to be a carpenter when this thing happened and as I continue to wait, I am also improving my knowledge and skill as a carpenter.


"I can make beautiful chairs and stools and many other types of furniture and one day when I am free, I will set up a workshop of my own", he said.


During the workshop, The Guardian also met another inmate who, though he pleaded for anonymity, told The Guardian he was charged for manslaughter in 2002.

"Since then, I have trained to be a tailor and already I am looking forward to leaving here and making something of my life since I was sentenced last year to three years.


"I did not kill anyone. I was trying to stop a fight between a boy and a woman over a wall clock, when the boy suddenly, fainted and later died in the clinic were I rushed him.


"They said I killed him and that was how I found myself in prison". There were many others, including Adebayo Adewoye, an indigene of Kwara State and Omotosho Michael, who hails from Ekiti State."


Now a skilled shoemaker following the training he has received in the six years he has been in prison, Adewoye told The Guardian:  "I learnt shoe making here, because I realized sitting around won't do me any good. I now have a certificate to show for it".


"My shoes cost between N800.00 and N1000.00 here but they are worth much more outside. " I wish I had freedom to maximize my job".


A tailor, Omotosho Michael, is popularly acknowledged as 'master tailor ' on account of his expertise in fashion designing. Now, he is teaching other inmates to sew clothes. He told The Guardian: "We make suits, shirts and trousers at affordable prices; we design for both men and women. We sell a pair of suits for N2,500.00, which is rather cheap.


"But we are happy we have not been idle here in prison. When we get out into the society, we would be able to    carry on with what we learnt and so make ourselves useful members of the society." Then, there was 22- year-old Tunde Isiaka, from Epe who has acquired a lot of skills in arts and crafts.

He said he reads motivational books among them, those written by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy.

"It was when I came here I learnt to draw. " I drew Pastor Chris because I read his motivational books which have helped change my behavior for the better".

According to Vice President, PWSA and Chairperson of the Workshop Planning Committee, Mrs. S. Agiobu-Kemmer Pearse: "The programme for the workshop was planned to impart positive attitudinal social
behavior to the inmates.

"The second part focuses on skills acquisition in easy-to- learn lucrative vocations with start-up capital as low as N5,000.00." Lamenting the slow process of dispensation of justice and the inadequate facilities
in the prisons, Mrs. Agiobu-Kemmer Pearse noted that Ikoyi Prisons and others reflect the flawed criminal justice system bequeathed to Nigeria by the colonial masters.


"The problem of over-crowing and over-population in the prison is serious and poses a constant threat to health and sanitation and wellbeing of those in prison.


"Ikoyi Prison built to take a maximum of 800, as of today has 1724 inmates, more than double its capacity."


She commended voluntary organizations, both religious and secular, as well as individuals who have in various ways identified with Prison Welfare Support Association's efforts to bring succour to inmates and prepare them for a successful life outside.


Among such groups are House on the Rock Church, Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society of Nigeria, Our Savior Anglican Church, Chrio Foundation, Christians In Action, Muharam Sisters, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) among others.


She said PWSA has chosen to " be a voice for the forgotten and voiceless, to sensitize the public, policy makers and government to address the issues we are canvassing about welfare of those in prison.


"Our mission is to render humanitarian services for the wellbeing of inmates through spiritual enrichment, economic and social support machineries and mechanisms.


"We try to establish and maintain a forum for the achievement of objectives such as: charity to prisoners and remand homes, to support inmates and, former inmates and those awaiting trial through legal aid, educational and vocational skills-acquisition and training programs and establishment of vocational centre and
industries in prisons and larger society.


"Though we give welfare support, we believe that, ultimately, the best that can be done is through programmes like this workshop to empower the inmates with life skills to successfully re-integrate them when they leave the prisons back into the society."


Commending members of PWSA, the Deputy Comptroller, Ikoyi Prisons, Mr. Sidi Mohammed, said their efforts went a long way towards equipping inmates with skills that will help them adapt and contribute positively to the society when they leave.


A motivational speaker, Mrs. Lawal challenged the inmates to make the best of the opportunity the workshop offered them and avoid anti-social and illegal acts that could make them return to prison.

Orphanages seek government’s support

Sarat Abdulsalam for The Guardian Newspaper
 

THE Federal Government has been urged to support orphanages to enable them provide for  the children in their care. The Administrative Officer of Little Saints Orphanage, Egbeda, Mrs. Bose Ogunbanjo and an official at SOS Children’s Village, Isolo, Mrs. Bolanle Nassar, bemoaned inadequate support of government to their organizations.

At the Little Saints Orphanage, Egbeda District, Mrs. Ogunbanjo commended individuals and corporate organisations for their visit and donations to the home.
“ Assistance has always been from individuals and corporate organizations but the Federal Government has not been responsive to several mails sent by the orphanage.

“For the fact that the government licensed individuals to take part in caring for orphans, does not mean it would not give its support, even if it is a stipend. We cannot rely only on donations from non-governmental organisations,” she added.
She said the organization was occasionally faced with financial problems.

“Before the children went on vacation, we owed school fees for two terms. We could not pay until someone came to our rescue. In fact, some had to stay at home for two weeks or more and when we could not bear it again, we changed schools for the children.

“Besides, there is also the problem of feeding since we have older boys, who naturally eat more than expected,” she maintained.
She, however, thanked God that despite all odds, the children had remained in private schools, including those in universities.

On the other hand, Mrs. Bolanle Nassar at SOS Children’s Village lamented that participation of government in the orphanage was very low.
“Over 60 per cent of our budget comes from our international office in Austria and we source for the remaining 40 per cent, which is through donations.”

One of the children from Little Saints Orphanage, Godwin Jackson, a Senior Secondary School - Three pupil of Legacy High School, Lagos, said “government has to take care of us also since we are also citizens of this country.”

All of them, however lent their voices to call on the Federal Government to give adequate support needed to actualize a befitting life for the children.

Journalists to use FOI Act judiciously-Dabiri

      There are misconceptions that the clamour for the enactment of the Freedom of Information bill started during former president Olusegun Obasanjo democratic regime from 1999 to 2003. To those whom it may concern it began in the General Sani Abacha’s military era of 1993. Due to the fact that his era was a military one, transparency and accountability was not his thing. It was not so obvious that such happened then. In the struggle to win the FOI act, there were powerful and prominent Nigerians from the chambers, Houses of Senate and Representative that came together as one and believed their struggle would yield a new turn on Nigeria media. They worked co-operatively and tirelessly despite so constant dribbles from both the Executive and Legislative for 12years.
      Fortunately on May 28, 2011, president Goodluck Jonathan put a final and happy ending to the struggle that seemed futile at the beginning. ''It is now left Nigerians to put it into practice as it is not meant for the media alone but everyone''. Representative of Ikorodu constituency at the National Assembly, Abike Dabiri Erewa made this statement at the Nigerian Institute Journalism’s student week, she charged Nigerians to take up to their responsibilities because the FOI act is to be practiced by every Nigerian citizen, and will make the media efficient. . According to her, the Act will make every public officer accountable and transparent in whatever duties they carry out. ‘‘When you request for the release of any information from a public officer and you do not get feedback within seven days, you have a right to sue him except for information which cannot be released for security purposes or private life. '
   'You can seek to know what your representative has being doing in the legislative house.'' She went further to identify that, for one to work successfully with the FOI act, records must be electronically stored, information must be accurate, accountable and also attending awareness programmes and campaign about the act. She however indulged both on the job and trained journalists to always be guided by the code of ethics.