By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu
The Association of Nigeria Theatre-Arts Practitioners (ANTP) is set to embark on regular awareness creation and education of its members and general social media influencers on the dangers of illicit and careless digital contents.
In his interview with this reporter after his attendance of the National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB)’s Digital Content Regulation Conference at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos, ANTP National President, Alhaji Razak Oyadiran, popularly known as Baroka, said the ANTP identified with NFVCB’s ideologies on safe digital contents for youths and children.
He added: “We will try our best as the foremost Indigenous artistes Association to educate our members and the general public on the dangers of posting uncultured content in the digital space.”
The 3-day conference attended by stakeholders in the film and entertainment industry was the third edition held by the NFVCB.
On Thursday, at the opening of the conference tagged: NFVCB-NETFLIX Safe Screen and Digital Entertainment Space Forum’, NFVCB Executive Director, Mr. Adedayo Thomas said the board would clamp down on over-the-top streaming services violating Nigeria’s digital content law.
Thomas said the Nigerian creative industry law covered online OTT and streamers and that the board was working closely with security agencies to ensure violators face the law.
He lamented that though the board was challenged in monitoring the content pushed out by online platforms, it was working on expanding its capacity for effective monitoring.
The NFVCB boss commended OTT streaming service Netflix’s compliance with the digital content law and collaboration with the board.
“Netflix is the best in compliance with the digital content law because they will not accept any unclassified film by NFVCB from any filmmaker. The consequences of not complying with the digital content law and providing content that are against the fabric of the society are in our regulations and constitution,” said Mr Thomas.
According to him, the NFVCB is determined to protect Nigeria’s cultural value system by ensuring that films and videos distributed in Nigeria meet the required ethical standards.
He said NFVCB organised the conference to bring together stakeholders in the creative industry to brainstorm on how to provide safe digital content for children.
Mr Thomas added that the conference was part of NFVCB’s efforts towards broadening initiatives for responsible digital parenting and enabling age-appropriate online experiences for children and younger people on digital entertainment platforms.
In her own contribution, Ms. Ziyanda Buthelezi-Ngcobo, Netflix Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, said that the streaming platform was collaborating with the NFVCB to safeguard digital content watched by children.
Buthelezi-Ngcobo said Netflix was committed to showcasing African culture and values through censorship of its content. She added that the streaming service had built trust by providing responsible self-regulation under the board’s guidance.
