The National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB) said Thursday it would clamp down on over-the-top streaming services violating Nigeria’s digital content law.

Adedayo Thomas, NFVCB executive director, said this at the third edition of the NFVCB’s Digital Content Regulation Conference in Lagos.

The three-day conference was tagged ‘NFVCB-NETFLIX Safe Screen and Digital Entertainment Space Forum’.

Mr Thomas said the Nigerian creative industry law covered online OTT and streamers and that the board was working closely with security agencies to ensure violators face the law.

He noted that though the board was challenged in monitoring the content pushed out by online platforms, it was working on expanding its capacity for effective monitoring.

The NFVCB boss commended OTT streaming service Netflix’s compliance with the digital content law and collaboration with the board.

“Netflix is the best in compliance with the digital content law because they will not accept any unclassified film by NFVCB from any filmmaker. The consequences of not complying with the digital content law and providing contents that are against the fabric of the society are in our regulations and constitution,” said Mr Thomas.

According to him, the NFVCB is determined to protect Nigeria’s cultural value system by ensuring that films and videos distributed in Nigeria meet the required ethical standards.

He said NFVCB organised the conference to bring together stakeholders in the creative industry to brainstorm on how to provide safe digital content for children.

Mr Thomas added that the conference was part of efforts to broaden initiatives for responsible digital parenting and enable age-appropriate online experiences for children and younger people on digital entertainment platforms.

Ziyanda Buthelezi-Ngcobo, Netflix manager for sub-Saharan Africa, said that the streaming platform was collaborating with the NFVCB to safeguard digital content watched by children.

Ms Buthelezi-Ngcobo stated that Netflix was committed to showcasing African culture and values through censorship of its content. She explained that the streaming service had built trust by providing responsible self-regulation under the board’s guidance.

(NAN)