The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has
directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately
implement measures aimed at re-positioning the broadcast industry with
a view to sanitizing the industry, creating jobs, promoting local
content, boosting the advert industry and bringing the broadcast
industry up to par with the best practices from around the world.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister said the
directive becomes necessary following the submission of the report of
the committee which he set up to work out the modalities for
implementing the recommendations approved by President Muhammadu
Buhari to re-position the broadcast industry.
”Following my satisfaction with the report which was very
professional and detailed, I wish to direct the Commission to take the
necessary measures to effect the implementation of the various
provisions therein. This directive covers the provision for the
regulation of the web and online TV/radio; regulation of international
broadcasters beaming signals into Nigeria; hate speech; human resource
and staff welfare; funding for the reforms implementation; monitoring;
Independence of the Regulator and ease of issuing Licenses as well as
competition and monopoly issues,” he said.
Major highlights of the Minister’s directive include new regulations
to compel broadcasters to utilize the content and services of Nigerian
independent producers, in fulfillment of the regulatory requirements
for 70% local content, rather than the current abuse of the rules
which allow many loopholes for the production of such content in
jurisdictions outside Nigeria. This will empower local producers with
proper funding and investment, enhance foreign collaborations, develop
the local industry, raise the standard of local productions and
ultimately lead to job creation.
The new regulations will also ensure that producers of content are
paid promptly for adverts and sponsored content placed on all TV,
radio and broadcast platforms, ensure that the production of adverts
are localized to create and promote local production and, where it is
not, to attract a charge every time such an advert is aired, with the
charge being put into a fund to help develop local expertise in
production.
For musical content, a new regulation will ensure that broadcasters
are prevented from illegal and unpaid use of musical works without
payment of the applicable license fees and/or royalties required by
music rights owners.
Similar provision will prohibit exclusivity of sporting rights in
Nigeria, as a new regulation now mandates broadcasters and exclusive
licensees to share such rights with other broadcasters to boost reach
and also maximize utilization by all broadcasters of premium content,
in order to grow their platforms and investment in other content.
”This regulation prevents the misuse of monopoly or market power or
anti-competitive and unfair practices by a foreign or local
broadcaster to suppress other local broadcaster in the television and
radio markets, having removed exclusivity from all content in Nigeria
and mandated the sharing of all content upon the payment of
commercially viable fees,” the Minister said.
He expressed the confidence that the new regulations, which are due to
come into effect this month, will re-energize the broadcast industry,
deliver real value in the sector and grow the creative industry for
the benefit of the practitioners.
