By Chris Udochukwu
Abuja – Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on Thursday directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to implement regulations for online media.
Lai Mohammed who gave the directive in a statement signed by his media aide, Segun Adeyemi, said implementation of the regulations which has been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari will reposition the broadcast industry, create jobs, promote local content, deliver real value in the sector and grow the creative industry.
According to the minster, 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”.
The statement reads in full:
“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.
“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 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”.
Precise Post recalls that the minister of communication had on Thursday, October 10, 2019 in Abuja while inaugurating a seven-man committee set up to implement reforms in the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), said President Buhari approved an amendment to the NBC act to enable it license WebTv and radio stations, including foreign broadcasters beaming signals into the country.
The minister further said that the terms of reference of the committee are as follows; To establish and publish a new regulation for the licensing of web and internet broadcasters/international broadcasters in Nigeria.
The minister also added that the president also approved the upward review of fines from N500,000 to N5 million for breaches relating to hate speeches, and the upgrade of political comments relating to ”Class A” offence in the broadcasting code.
