Sanwo-Olu, Musawa, Others Charge Creative Minds to Strive for Global Standards

Oluchi Chibuzor

As technology continue to pioneer digital content and distribution, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa has stressed the need for the country’s creative industry practitioners to adhere to global best standards in a way that ensure quality, safety, and ethical standards of digital media.

This is as the film stakeholders have equally called on the federal government to provide enabling policy that would allow the industry to self-regulate itself in order to meet the current drive in the creative industry.

Speaking at the Third Peace Anyiam Osigwe  Nigerian Digital Content Regulation Conference held in Lagos, yesterday, Sanwo-Olu said that despite the achievement of the industry the absence of global standards pose several challenges.

He said in this age of digitalisation, where content can be easily accessed and shared across borders, it was crucial to establish guidelines that ensure the quality, safety, and ethical standards of digital media.

He stressed that the country must also address a pressing concern,  the need for global standards to regulate digital content.

According to him, when there are no proper guidelines, it becomes challenging to protect the intellectual property rights of our filmmakers.

He said: “Without proper regulations, their work can be infringed upon, leading to financial losses and discouragement of creative talent. Additionally, the absence of standards may result in the proliferation of pirated and low-quality content, which not only harms the reputation of our industry but also affects the revenue streams of our filmmakers.

“Furthermore, the lack of global standards for regulating digital content raises concerns about the impact on our cultural values and societal norms. As content travels across borders, it is essential to ensure that it respects the diversity and sensitivities of different cultures. The absence of guidelines can potentially lead to the spread of content that may be offensive, inappropriate, or harmful to certain communities.”

However to address the concerns, the governor noted that it was imperative to work together, not only at the state or national level but also on an international scale.

“We should collaborate with fellow nations, industry experts, and regulatory bodies to establish a framework that promotes responsible content creation, distribution, and consumption,” he added.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Oloruntoyin Atekoja, the governor said the framework should encompass guidelines for intellectual property protection, content quality standards, age restrictions, and cultural sensitivity.

“ It should also include mechanisms for effective enforcement and cooperation among nations to combat piracy and copyright infringement,” he stressed.

In her remarks, Musawa argued that innovations in technology, the growth of broadband infrastructure, and the proliferation of digital screens had combined to create a fascinating new order.

Represented by her Special Adviser, Film and Music, Baba Agba, Musawa, said the new order had provided the ability to deliver even more audio-visual products, adding that Nigeria would continue to provide the enabling environment for digital businesses to thrive.

“Let me assure you, that the administration of President Bola Tinubu, is focused on promoting and attracting investments and partnerships in and to Nigeria and is keen to create the right framework that encourages ease of doing business, serves the public interest and helps us achieve our collective aspirations for this key sector of the economy,” the minister said.

The three days event was organised by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) with the theme: ‘’Fostering Collaboration and Inclusivity in the Digital Entertainment Industry’’ brought together bodies like the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners ( NANTAP), Association of Movie Content Owners and Producers/ Distributors of Nigeria (AMCOD), Nigeria Customs Services and others.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director NFVCB, Adedayo Thomas, said the objective of the conference was primarily to discuss the growth of the film industry and evaluate concerns around global standards for regulation of digital contents.

 “The goal is to ensure sanity and promote global peace, without upsetting the inherent investment opportunities and the enhancement of economic rewards for all practitioners and stakeholders.

“And to further explore and discuss the possibilities of self-regulation in the film ecosystem, in order to escalate more investment opportunities and enhance economic rewards for all practitioners and stakeholders,” he said.