The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), has decided to collaborate with platform owners to ensure that only classifed films and video works are distributed on their spaces.
Dr. Husseini Shaibu, Executive Director of the Board, made the announcement recently, just as the filmmakers pledged commitment to classify their works.
Speaking at the Round Table Forum organised by the NFVCB, on “Morality and Ethics in Film Production in Nigeria”, at the sidelines of the Second Lagos International Film and Cinema Convention, the Executive Director disclosed that “the Board and the platform owners were working on a protocol that would require any film or video work produced in Nigeria or imported into the country to be classified by the Board before it could be uploaded on any platform”.
He stated that the Board was working assiduously to ensure that it put in place all the required infrastructure to meet the demands of the stakeholders before it commences the implementation of the regime of mandatory classification of content on digital platforms.
The Round Table, which was part of the continuous engagement with filmmakers, was organised by the Board for producers, exhibitors, and distributors in the film value chain.
Husseini reminded the filmmakers that it was mandatory for them to classify their films and video works.
Declared he: “The law says we are responsible for both analog and digital distribution in Nigeria”.
He also admonished the filmmakers on the importance of submitting any film or video for classification before uploading to any platform for streaming.
Stated he rhetorically: “I do not have any powers to go to your Instagram page to worry you about the skits you produce for fun. However,when you are doing a film or video work, you must bring it to the Board for Classification because that is what the law says”.
Husseini, who is also the Chief Executive Ifficer of the Board, appealed to the filmmakers to make his duties easy for him.
Said he: “Rhe reason I am appealing is because we are not at the Board to test the law or take any stakeholder to court. Rather, if we all do what is expected of us as filmmakers, it will make our work as enforcers easier”.
He regretted that there were some filmmakers at the Round Table who were habitually uploading their films and musical videos that denigrate other religious sects without classification.
Husseini further noted that the Board was not interested in guiding filmmakers on how to tell their stories.
Stressed he: “We simply classify your films and give it appropriate rating”.
Teco Benson, a notable director and filmmaker, reiterated the commitment of the filmmakers to submit their films, musicals, and skits for classification. He challenged the figures posted recently by the NFVCB, stating that it was not reflective of the total number of films produced in the country.
He stated that the majority of the films went straight to YouTube and other streaming platforms without classification.
Said Benson: “The numbers are not to the benefit of Nollywood in terms of global ratings for films produced. We must send in our films for classification so we can have accurate data on the industry”.
The Executive Director also affirmed the determination of the Board to significantly improve further on the duration of film Classification while the Board plans a reduced Classification fee for contents going straight to streaming platforms.
This is in line with element 8 of the Ministerial 8-point action plan which is about developing an enabling business environment centred on infrastructure development and digital transformation.
