Netflix, Others To Be Regulated By FG — Lai Mohammed

The federal government has revealed its plan to regulate streaming platforms like Netflix and others, expressing concern that they could be used to “cause chaos” and undermine the nation's democracy.

The disclosure was made at a 2-day conference where the government and industry stakeholders talked about “the implication of Nigeria censorship laws and regulatory framework for Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming services and content providers in Nigeria.” 

While speaking at the event, the Minister of Culture and Information, Lai Mohammed, stated that the demand and popularity of streaming services in Nigeria soared with the COVID-19 pandemic, hence the need for them to be regulated.

Mohammed was represented by the Director, Information and Technology in the ministry, Comfort Ajiboye, and through him re-iterated his long-time bias for social media and streaming platforms.

The conference was organised by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) in Lagos on Wednesday in collaboration with stakeholders and practitioners in the creative industry.

Adedayo Thomas, Executive Director and CEO of the NFVCB, said that the aim of the conference was to brainstorm on creating policies to regulate streamers and content providers in Nigeria.

“With over 50 percent internet penetration, it has become imperative to convene this conference to bring together stakeholders and legislators in a conversation so as to come up with crystal policies on the regulation of streamers and content providers,” he stated.

Speaking further, Thomas added that streaming service providers were not able to self-regulate and that was the reason for their operations being the topic of discussion at the conference with the theme: 'Nigeria Digital Content Regulation'.