Abuja: The Nigerian Press Council (NPC) has reiterated its commitment to partner with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) in the fight against online piracy. Dr. Dili Ezughah, the Executive Secretary of NPC, disclosed this during a seminar organized by NCC for journalists in Abuja. The seminar was themed ‘Beyond Reporting: The Media, Copyright and the Nigerian Creative Economy’.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ezughah, represented by Mr. Jacob Atang, Director of Marketing, emphasized that the partnership with NCC aims to significantly reduce online piracy. He highlighted the council’s responsibility to regulate activities in the print media and ensure the ethical conduct of journalists.
Ezughah pointed out the prevalence of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation in Nigeria, particularly within online media. He criticized the ease with which untrained individuals can publish potentially harmful information using smartphones.
NPC is currently developing a pre-fact checker app designed to monitor online activities. The app will identify and prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation. Ezughah expressed the council’s desire to curb the tide of fake news and misinformation.
He also revealed plans for expanding NPC’s operational scope, stating that a bill has been prepared to amend the existing legislation, allowing the Press Council to cover electronic media. Ezughah assured the NCC Director-General of NPC’s commitment to partnering in the battle against online piracy.
Mr. Jahman Anikulapo, an Art and Culture Advocate, spoke on ‘The Journalist’s Guide to Effective Reportage of the Copyright Sector’. He emphasized the media’s role in educating and empowering the public, urging journalists to become advocates within the creative sector.
Anikulapo encouraged journalists to actively engage in copyright advocacy and collaborate with NCC to safeguard creators’ work from infringement. He stressed that defending creators’ rights also protects journalists’ rights.
Mr. Mike Akpan, Principal Partner at Alpha-Edge, discussed ‘Copyright Basics for Journalists’. He explained the legal rights conferred on authors and creators, highlighting that journalistic work is protected as literary work under copyright law.
Akpan advised journalists to ethically balance public reporting and respect for intellectual property rights. He explained that an author’s work is automatically protected upon creation, with voluntary registration available through NCC.
He stressed the importance of understanding the legal framework surrounding copyright to foster a thriving creative ecosystem. Copyright and neighboring rights are crucial for protecting intellectual property and incentivizing the creation of new works.