Breaking: FG Commences Regulation of Online Media

Dede Ifayemi

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, has directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to implement regulations for online media and other broadcasting platforms.

Mohammed was quoted as giving the directive in a statement issued by Segun Adeyemi, his media aide, on Thursday.

The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture tweeted about it:

The minister also directed the NBC to implement measures that will reposition the broadcast industry, create jobs and promote local content.

According to him, the directive became necessary following the approval of recommendations of a committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“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,” Mohammed said.

“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.”

The minister said the commission must ensure that broadcasters utilise the content and services of Nigerian independent producers in line with regulatory requirements for 70 percent local content.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

The minister added that the new regulations “will re-energise the broadcast industry,deliver real value in the sector and grow the creative industry for the benefit of the practitioners”

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

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, according to the Ministry of Information and Culture.