Broadcasting
Cloud Network, Lagos State Partner to Build Strategic Capacity for Media Operation
Cloud Network Foundation (CNF) and the Lagos State Government (LASG) are soon to hold a strategic capacity-building workshop for the operators in the media industry.
The initiative, the first in a series of other noble plans is designed to engender massive engagements and collaboration with the stakeholders in the media industry to help plug the hole in the missing links between a healthy and more productive media industry and the professional challenges facing the media operators.
The 2-day event that will be declared open by the Lagos State Governor, His Excellence, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will feature talks on various topics such as Digital Media and Social Journalism, Data Journalism and Visualization and unpack the latest trends in YouTube, Radio, TV and documentary production.
It will proffer solutions to the nuts and bolts of investigative journalism, and Journalism in the era of Artificial Intelligence ( AI) amongst others.
Mr. Abimbola Tooki, Chairman of CNF, in a Statement released in Lagos, said that in this era of Social Media, Digital Publishing and the abuse and misuse of other opportunities in the technology space, knowledge development and applications of appropriate tools are critical in maximizing the potentials in the media space for national growth and development.
Speaking on the plan to forge collaborative engagements between the CNF and LASG, Tooki said that the partnership is designed to scale up professionals in the public and private media sectors.
Noting that this is intended to build a robust set of skills for operatives easily vulnerable to the pitfalls of the digital publishing space, he said that the delivery of professional competencies is imperative within the media ecosystem.
He stressed that the rise of the internet and digital technologies has revolutionised the way we consume media.
Traditional forms of media, such as newspapers and magazines, have given way to the online news portal, blogs, and social media platforms.
According to him, the convenience of accessing news and entertainment content anytime anywhere has made digital media increasingly popular.
The CNF leader acknowledged that the digital age has also presented media organizations with opportunities and challenges that need to be adequately grasped and mastered.
“On one hand, the Internet has expanded its reach, allowing us to connect with global audiences and experiment in new storytelling formats.
” On the other hand, the fragmentation of audiences, the dominance of social media platforms, and the decline in traditional advertising revenues pose significant challenges.
“Media organizations need to adapt by embracing digital technologies, exploring new business models, and fostering meaningful engagement with their audiences”.
He said in a fast-changing industry and the world there is a need to recognize the importance of equipping and constantly engaging journalists and other news actors with emerging and advanced digital skills, tools and knowledge.
According to him, these and more are the focus of the 2-day capacity building digital workshop being planned for the media professionals by the NCF in collaboration with the Lagos State Government.
According to him, the main objectives of the workshop include enhancing professional competence by providing journalists with up-to-date skills in reporting, storytelling, and digital media to adapt to the changing industry demands.
More so, the workshop will focus on ethical reporting and standards. This is to ensure that practitioners reinforce ethical journalism practices, ensuring accuracy, fairness, and accountability in reporting.
The workshop will ensure that professionals are reined in on the recurring challenges in the New Media space, and emerging technologies.
The workshop will also integrate digital transformation for the media operators.
It is designed to equip journalists with the tools and techniques necessary to leverage digital platforms effectively for storytelling and engagements.
Above all, Tooki said, the workshop will reinforce the synergy between the government and the media, as well as the government and its public.
To make the programme all-inclusive, he said that the training will accommodate government House Reporters, young reporters, middle to senior levels career journalists, bloggers, online news writers and social media influencers.
Uchenna Mbunabo, Nigerian filmmaker, has raised concerns over the alleged unauthorised broadcast of Nollywood films by some Ghanaian television stations, calling on Ghana’s National Film Authority (NFA) to strengthen the enforcement of copyright laws.
Uchenna Mbunabo, Nigerian filmmaker
Mbunabo made the remarks during a conversation with James Gardiner, deputy CEO of the National Film Authority (NFA) of Ghana.
He questioned whether it was permissible for television stations in Ghana to download Nigerian movies from YouTube and air them without obtaining permission from the producers.
“I noticed that Ghanaian TV stations, the way they are stealing our films and showing them for free with impunity. Is it legalised in your country for TV stations to go on YouTube, download people’s sweat and show it for free?”
According to Mbunabo, some Ghanaian television stations have been downloading newly released Nollywood films from YouTube and broadcasting them without authorisation, depriving producers of revenue generated through the platform.
He also stated that he had not witnessed Nigerian television stations engaging in similar practices and questioned what measures Ghana was taking to protect filmmakers’ intellectual property.
Responding to the concerns, Gardiner acknowledged that the issue exists and said the National Film Authority had begun engaging relevant stakeholders to address it.
He disclosed that the NFA has held discussions with the Ministry of Communications, the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the National Media Commission (NMC) on improving copyright enforcement.
Gardiner explained that while Ghana has copyright laws, enforcement remains challenging because many television stations now operate digitally and may not have physical offices within the country.
“There are copyright laws, but they are not effective because a lot of the TV stations don’t have offices. Most of them are now digital, so they operate from anywhere. They can even have a Ghanaian TV station but be operating from Austria simply because it is digital.”
He added that authorities are considering a new licensing framework that would require broadcasters to undergo a fresh licensing process to improve monitoring and enforcement.
According to Gardiner, television stations found guilty of illegally broadcasting copyrighted content would be required to compensate affected producers through fines.
He added that repeat offenders could face suspension of their broadcasting licences, while a third violation could result in the revocation of their licences.
Although he did not provide a specific timeline, Gardiner said the reforms were already underway and expressed hope that significant progress would be seen next year.
Mbunabo welcomed the proposed measures but urged the National Film Authority to expedite the process, stating that unauthorised broadcasts continue to affect filmmakers’ ability to recover production costs through legitimate distribution channels such as YouTube.
He also stressed that his comments were not directed at Ghana’s film industry, noting that he has worked with several Ghanaian actors over the years and supports collaborations between Nollywood and Ghallywood.
Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) has established six committees to help strengthen and modernize the country’s broadcasting industry.
The committees will focus on content creation, skills development, digital transformation, sustainability, policy and commercial opportunities
The initiative aims to support industry growth and improve collaboration between broadcasters, regulators and media experts
The official launch recently, was led by Tony Akiotu, president, BON and attended by media professionals, program directors, former journalists and heads of specialized media organizations.
The event brought together several prominent figures in Nigeria’s media industry, including veteran broadcaster and trainer Bimbo Oloyede, Tony Uyah of M4S TV, Kingsley Uranta of Channels Television, Ismael Sani of Platinum TV and Ibrahim Shehu of Trust TV.
Together, they are expected to help drive innovation and support the growth of Nigeria’s broadcasting sector.
According to Akiotu, the committees are intended both to help shape industry policy and to provide a forum for dialogue between BON and broadcasting experts.
Akiotu said the ad hoc committees were intended to strengthen BON’s work and ensure that the umbrella body for Nigeria’s broadcasters played a more direct and meaningful role in developing the country’s broadcasting sector.
The six committees reflect the sector’s main priorities. The first focuses on collaboration and innovation to promote content creation.
The second is dedicated to training and talent development, while the third focuses on industry sustainability by improving the sector’s long-term financial viability.
A fourth committee will focus on digital transformation and work with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on regulatory issues.
The remaining two committees will oversee public policy advocacy and the development of sports and commercial rights to help broadcasters increase revenue and attract more investment. Together, the committees are expected to guide BON’s efforts to modernize and strengthen Nigeria’s broadcasting industry.
The committees, chaired by members of BON’s General Assembly and supported by the organization’s Secretariat, have an initial 12-month mandate that may be renewed if necessary.
They are required to submit a progress report within three months and implement approved recommendations within the following six months.
The arrangement is intended to ensure close oversight and the timely implementation of their work.
Akiotu also reminded committee members that Nigeria pioneered television broadcasting in Africa and urged them to carry out their work with greater effectiveness and efficiency.
Next Currency Crisis May Turn $300Bn in Stablecoins into National Currencies
NIHSA Warns States of Possible Flood within Seven Days
FG to Raise N1.2 Trillion via Fresh Bond Offer – DMO
Gigbanc Nigerian Fintech Startup Closes Shop after 3 Years
Mbunabo, Nigerian Filmmaker Accuses Ghana TV Stations of Pirating Nollywood Films
NRC, Ponzi Scheme Collapses Resulting Loss of Billions of Naira
Nigeria Launches FreeTV Nationwide
NASENI Moves to Digitize CCB’s 5m Assets Declaration and Operations
Lebara Nigeria Launches Lebara Play, Africa’s First Telecom-Owned Micro-Drama Platform
CANAL+ Partners Samsung to Pre-Load DStv Stream on New Samsung TVs In Nigeria, Other African Countries
News2 days agoXora Finance, Fintech Firm Refuses to Hire Nigerians over Alleged Dishonesty
Telecom2 days agoNCC Advances Dig Once Policy, Engages Stakeholders on Cost-Based Framework for Duct Sharing
Telecom2 days agoNCC to Keynote Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum 7.0
General News2 days agoFG Secures Fresh $208.3m World Bank Loan for Cash Transfer
News2 days agoHow Ponzi Scheme Victims can Seek Legal Remedies — Lawyers
News2 days agoPalmPay Nigeria Appoints Samuel Oluyemi as Chief Operating Officer
Telecom1 day agoMTN Nigeria Slashes Cost of Broadband Internet Router, Unwraps New Data Bundles for Low-Budget Users
General News2 days agoSERAP Sues INEC over Alleged N800Bn 2027 Tinubu Campaign Fund