The Federal Government says it is committed to enhancing intellectual property rights to ensure that Nigerian content creators receive fair compensation for their work.
Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation, gave the assurance at the first National Conference of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB) on Wednesday in Abuja.
The conference with the theme, “Broadcasting and the political economy of content production in a digital age: The Nigerian perspective’’ was organised by SNB in collaboration with Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON).
Idris, who was represented by Dili Ezughah, executive secretary, Nigeria Press Council, said, “As a government, we will continue to strengthen intellectual property rights to ensure those content creators are adequately compensated for their works.
“Over time, our regulatory institution – the National Broadcasting Commission and Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria have been retooled to promote and enforce the consumption of local content in Nigeria.
“This is to empower our citizens and create more job opportunities for our teaming youths,’’ he said.
The minister noted that the dynamics of broadcasting are rapidly changing through technology which has not only expanded the reach of broadcasters but also diversify how contents are produced and consumed.
“The proliferation of digital platforms including social media streaming services and podcasts had democratised content creation by allowing more voices to be heard.
“The Nigerian content industry is the most vibrant in Africa with Nollywood being ranked as the second movie industry in the world; our musicians have taken the world by storm,” he said.
Idris added that the Federal Government was reviewing the missed opportunities on the digital switchover to create more outlets for Nigerian youths to adequately express their creative ability.
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The minister said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was committed to the advancement and consolidation of democracy through a series of comprehensive reforms.
“Those comprehensive reforms are aimed at creating job opportunities, fighting poverty and insecurity, providing critical infrastructure and social services as well as inclusive governance’’.
In his Salihu Dembos, chairman of BON, said the theme of the conference was timely due to technological advancement and the changing nature of audience behaviours.
“As broadcasters, we are tasked with navigating these challenges, and it is on this note that we invite a speaker of repute to come and talk to us on this important topic.
“It is hope that at the end of the day, participants will have something to take home that will of course better the broadcast industry and the society in general,” he said.
Dembos, who is also the director-general of the Nigerian Television Authority, urged participants to participate fully in the delegate conference.
Also speaking, Yemisi Bamgbose, national coordinator of SNB, said the significance of the conference could not be overemphasised, in breaking the jinx of over 60 years.
“If you observe, the media has no professional body like those in law, advertising, accounts, pharmacy, and medicine professions.
“NSB is here to bring all of us together, including those that have retired. It has been on board for more than 60 years. Today it is a reality.
“Participants were drawn from both public and private organisations across the country; even those in programming and engineering in media houses are included.
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