FG Proposes A Plan To Regulate Netflix And Other Streaming Services 

Streaming services, according to the FG, might be used to sabotage the country’s democratic process.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

The fresh initiatives is to implement censorship legislation and a regulatory framework for OTT streaming services and content providers in Nigeria.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), during a two-day conference organized by the NFVCB in Lagos, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated that streaming services could be used to “cause chaos” and undermine the country’s democratic processes, thus the need for regulation.

Mohammed, who was represented by Comfort Ajiboye, Director, Information and Technology in the ministry, emphasized that the growing demand for streaming services in Nigeria surged in the midst of the epidemic.

In his opening remarks, NFVCB director Adedayo Thomas stated that the conference was held to gather stakeholders together in order to create laws and regulations for streaming services in the country.

“With over 50 per cent 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,” Thomas said.

“The goal of regulation is not to stifle creativity but to create sanity and encourage healthy competition for socio-economic gains,” he added.

While underlining the board’s vow not to hinder creativity, Thomas supported the government’s new strategy, claiming that streaming service providers were unable to self-regulate, necessitating governmental regulations.

The FG’s new decision comes on the heels of a contentious ban on the social media network Twitter.