Broadcasting
NCC Pledges Support in Production of Books in Accessible Format for the Blind
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has assured publishers that in collaboration with the Nigerian Association of the Blind (NAB), it would provide the requisite technical support to facilitate the production of books in accessible formats until publishers align with the new model.
Dr. John O. Asein, Director-General, NCC, stated this during a Virtual Special Google Awareness Meeting on Accessible Publishing, a collaborative programme between the NCC, Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and NAB.
Dr. Asein, in his statement, reaffirmed the commitment of the Commission in working closely with publishers to ensure that more blind people were able to read in line with the slogan, ‘Let the blind read’.
While calling for intensified collaboration with the NPA in the production of books in accessible formats, he informed that the NCC was already engaged in discussions with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and other agencies for the inclusion of a national policy that would enable the deployment of Government funds for publishing books that are borne accessible.
He called for the support of NPA in pushing this policy to make more books available in their repository.
The Director-General further stated that it has become imperative to take practical steps to make books available for the blind because the insertion of the clause in the new Copyright Bill would be of no effect if it was left unattended to.
He urged publishers to leverage on the opportunities that WIPO and other development partners were providing in terms of training and funding to explore accessible publishing in view of the huge market and demands from libraries and individuals who want to have access to the materials.
In her remarks, Ms Monica Halil, a representative of Accessible Book Construction (ABC), a public private partnership headed by the WIPO, said the core activity of the organisation in the implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty was the promotion of accessible publishing.
She encouraged those who want to exploit e-publications that “there is the right market with legal requirements for people who are practice able”.
She urged publishers to sign into the ABC Charter for accessible publishing for proper guidance, noting that leveraging on the trainings by the African Publishing Intervention Fund, by registering, would help them in accessing funds for production of accessible books.
The online meeting provided an avenue to address concerns of publishers in the area of producing books in accessible formats and how to make the materials available so that the blind and visually impaired persons can have access to books.
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Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has announced the postponement of its maiden annual Public Relations, Reputation, Ideas, Concepts and Excellence (PRICE) Awards and Prizes to January 25, 2026.
NIPR
The event, earlier scheduled for December 7, 2025, was deferred to accommodate stakeholders whose observance of Christmas festivities had commenced earlier than expected.
Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr. Israel Opayemi, urged stakeholders to note the new date and prepare to participate in the ceremony.
He said the awards would motivate professionals, practitioners and scholars, while enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness in the public relations ecosystem and strengthening brand equity for all stakeholders.
Opayemi reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to delivering a best-in-class award administration and ceremony, describing the PRICE Awards as a credible and enduring platform to identify, celebrate and elevate outstanding individuals, campaigns and organisations shaping the public relations landscape across sectors.
The development of the PRICE Awards peaked in September 2025 when the NIPR President and Chairman, Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, inaugurated a 12-man committee to organise the maiden edition. The inauguration followed the Council’s adoption of the report of a technical team tasked with establishing the awards.
Netflix has announced a landmark agreement to acquire Warner Bros. and HBO Max in a transaction valued at $82.7 billion, a move analysts say will reshape the global entertainment industry.
Netflix
The deal, which includes Warner Bros.’ film and television studios, HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros. Games, was unanimously approved by the boards of both companies. Under the terms, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) shareholders will receive $23.25 in cash and $4.50 in Netflix shares for each WBD share.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos described the acquisition as “a defining moment” for the streaming giant, noting that the company intends to maintain Warner Bros.’ current operations while expanding its production capacity.
“By combining Warner Bros.’ incredible library of shows and movies with Netflix’s culture-defining titles, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling,” Sarandos said.
The transaction is expected to close within 12 to 18 months, following the planned spin-off of WBD’s TV networks division, Discovery Global, in 2026. Netflix projects annual cost savings of $2–3 billion by the third year after completion and expects the deal to be accretive to earnings per share by year two.
Industry groups, including the Directors Guild of America and Cinema United, have raised concerns about the impact on movie theaters, while regulators are expected to scrutinize the deal over antitrust issues. Netflix has pledged to continue supporting theatrical releases, with Warner Bros.’ cinema commitments running through 2029.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav hailed the agreement, saying it “combines two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world to bring to even more people the entertainment they love.”
Observers note that the acquisition comes 15 years after former Time Warner chief Jeff Bewkes dismissed Netflix as “the Albanian army,” underscoring the dramatic shift in the entertainment landscape.
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