Nigeria to Boost Intellectual Property Rights for Content Creators.
The Federal Government has pledged to enhance intellectual property rights protection, ensuring fair compensation for Nigerian content creators.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, made this commitment at the inaugural National Conference of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB) in Abuja.
The Conference with the theme, “Broadcasting and the Political Economy of Content Production in Digital Age: The Nigerian Perspective’’ was organisation by SNB in collaboration with Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON).
“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; National Broadcasting Commission and Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria have been retooled to promote and enforced the consumption of local content in Nigerian.
“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 podcast 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 disclosed that the federal government was reviewing the missed opportunities on the digital switch overo create more outlets for Nigerian youths to adequately express their creative ability.
The Minister said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was deeply committed to the advancement and consolidation of democracy through 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’’.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Idris was represented at the event by the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Press Council, Dr Dili Ezughah.
The Chairman of BON, Mr Salihu Dembos said the theme of the conference was timely due to technological advancement and changing nature of audience behaviours.
“As broadcasters, we are tasked with navigating with these challenges, and it is on this note that we invite a speaker of repute to come and talk us on this important topic.