Film And Video Censors Board to sanction violators of digital content law

By Halima Muhammad
Kanempress
25th November 2023

The National Film And Video Censors Board, in Nigeria has vowed to sanction Over-The-Top streaming services which are violating the digital content law.

Speaking at the third edition of the NFVCB’s Digital Content Regulation conference in Lagos, the Executive Director of the board, Adedayo Thomas, stated that the Nigerian Creative Industry law covered Over-The-Top streaming services and streamers, hence the NFVCB was working closely with security agencies to ensure that violators faced the law.

This was even as he commended digital streaming platform, Netflix, on its compliance with the law and collaboration with the board.

“Netflix is the best in compliance with the digital content law because they would not accept any film not classified by the NFVCB from any filmmaker,” Thomas stated.

“There are consequences for not complying with the digital content law and providing content that is against societal values,” he said.

Thomas insisted that the board was determined to protect the Nigeria’s cultural value system by ensuring that films and videos distributed met the required ethical standards.

On her part, Netflix’s Manager, Public Policy Sub-Sahara Africa, Ziyanda Buthelezi-Ngcobo, stated that the company was collaborating with the NFVCB to safeguard digital content watched by Nigerian children.

Ngcobo said that they were committed to showcasing African culture and values through the censorship of their content.

Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Bukola Agbaminoja, stated that the board was empowered to close down any cinema and exhibition centre, aiding the exposure of children to inappropriate and unclassified content.