By Priscilla Osaje
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has inaugurated ‘Annual Copyright Dialogue’ that would serve as a beacon for policy discourse, institutional reflection and collaborative action in the copyright space.
Dr John Asein, Director- General of NCC, inaugurated ‘Annual Copyright Dialogue, formerly known as Annual Copyright Forum, during a seminar organised for journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.
The theme of the seminar is “Beyond Reporting: The Media, Copyright and the Nigerian Creative Economy”.
According to him, the reintroduction of Annual Copyright Dialogue is aimed at facilitating exchange of views between national and international copyright experts.
It is also aimed at re-evaluating operational strategies for the cultivation of copyright culture in Nigeria.
He recalled that the first Annual Copyright Forum was convened on Dec. 7, 1990 (35 years ago), adding that the last edition of the Copyright Forum was in 2000, followed by the Copyright Summit in 2001.
“Pointing to the strategic role of the media in governance, the commission’s pioneer Director-General, an accomplished media practitioner, Mr Moses Ekpo, in 1993 said that government, like others who wish to communicate messages to the masses have great need for the mass media.
“Apart from this, it appears that the public depends almost entirely on the media to influence and direct its thought on all issues that affect it, society needs an interpreter and this interpreter is the media.
”True to that early vision, the dialogue will now serve as a beacon for policy discourse, institutional reflection, and collaborative action in the copyright space,” Asein said.
Asein said that to underscore the importance of this renewed partnership, the commission would be pleased to inaugurate the Ekpo’s prize for ‘Innovative Copyright Reporting’.
According to him, the ‘Innovative Copyright Reporting’ is an annual award aimed at recognising journalists and media institutions that demonstrate excellence, integrity and innovation in copyright reporting.
The NCC boss said that the award would celebrate media practitioners who have contributed significantly to copyright education, public awareness and the commission’s campaign for a more wholesome copyright system and a better creative sector in Nigeria.
He added that the prize for 2025 was being awarded posthumously to Ms Evelyn Osagie, who passed away on Aug. 17, and worked with ‘The Nation’ newspaper.
According to him, Osagie was not only a distinguished journalist, but was a rare gift to Nigeria’s creative and copyright community.
” She showed remarkable empathy that enabled her to amplify the voices of young and emerging creators, who otherwise will have remained unheard.
“Her coverage of copyright issues reflected clarity, balance and an unwavering commitment to national development.
“She was a steadfast ally of the commission, highlighting policy milestones, supporting our enforcement efforts and exposing the deepening threats of piracy with candour and courage.
“In many ways, she embodied the very spirit of this dialogue, professional, ethical, passionate, and firmly committed to the growth of Nigeria’s copyright sector,” he added.
Asein invited all participants in webinar to interrogate emerging trends, challenge assumptions, share insights and forge stronger alliances in their mission to enhance public education and champion the rights of creators in an increasingly complex digital environment.
He said that the webinar would also focus on the rights and responsibilities of journalists and media practitioners as content creators, information aggregators, copyright owners and users.
“To complement the webinar, the commission has completed a handbook for journalists, which is already in the press and will soon be presented to the public.
“We, therefore, enlist you as copyright owners and as guardians of the copyright and creative space to serve as partners in policy development, spotlighting emerging issues that require regulatory intervention,” he said.
He urged monitors and evaluators of enforcement actions and policy implementation to hold the commission accountable in its service delivery.
Asein also urged allies of the commission to monitor and evaluate it to provide the needed feedbacks to help us understand public perception and stakeholder concerns to enrich their programmes and activities.
The NCC boss said that today’s engagement was a reaffirmation of shared commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s creative ecosystem.
Asein emphasised that it also represented the revitalisation of the Annual Copyright Forum, now re-envisioned as a strategic platform for deepening collaboration with the media and other stakeholders as indispensable partners in shaping Nigeria’s copyright agenda.
“We are particularly delighted to identify with the Art and Culture Writers Association of Nigeria and I look forward to working more closely with the association and individual members for our mutual benefits.
“This webinar is in recognition of the media not merely as observers or reporters of the copyright system, but as active partners whose reportage, analysis, and public-facing narratives shape national consciousness and influence policy outcomes”.
“For the commission, we acknowledge the realisation of our statutory mandate to promote and protect creativity requires strong, credible and professional media sector,” he said.
He said that the copyright operational landscape was evolving more rapidly especially in today’s digital world.
Asein said that in a decade ago, the commission had the mass reproduction of CDs and DVDs to deal with, but today, they were confronted with cloud-based infringements, algorithm-driven content aggregation among others.
“These developments have heightened the stakes and demand new regulatory responses and broader partnerships,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
