Former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, Prof. Umaru Pate, has identified sustainability as a major challenge confronting media organisations, adding establishing a media outfit is relatively easier than keeping it afloat

Speaking at the recent first anniversary of Azama TV held in Bauchi, he observed investment in Africa’s media industry remained comparatively low, compared to major global outlets such as CNN and the BBC, that have invested heavily in transitioning from the analogue era to digital broadcasting.

To the don, “if you ask Alhaji Ilelah or the founder of Azama TV what challenges they face in operating their media organisation, what kind of competition they experience and how they manage to succeed and remain on air, the answers will be complex and diverse.”

Speaking further, he also identified funding, technology, quality content, credibility, safety and press freedom, competition and changing audience preferences are among the major challenges confronting media operators.

Despite the nation’s estimated population of about 234 million, Pate also observed the country’s newspaper industry has continued to experience declining circulation, with no newspaper reportedly printing up to 10,000 copies daily.

In his welcome address, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Azama TV, Danlami Kawule, noted, “to have Azama TV on satellite wasn’t an easy task, but we are happy that today we are here to celebrate success with our stakeholders, our audiences and partners.”

He expressed appreciation to broadcast veteran Halilu Ahmed Getso, for his contributions to journalism in the country and globally.

Kawule also called on the government to increase investment and support for the media sector to strengthen effective information dissemination.

Commending the station’s partners and advertisers for their patronage, he also pledged Azama TV would continue to improve its services and provide content that serves the public interest.

He added that the station’s entertainment programmes had particularly attracted strong engagement from female audiences.

In his remarks, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, commended the management of Azama TV for providing content that reflects the interests and aspirations of the people of the state.

He added television remains an important platform for educating, informing and entertaining the public, urging media practitioners to uphold their responsibility to society.