By Priscilla Osaje

Dr John Asein, Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has urged journalists  to investigate and expose underlying  economic structures behind piracy.

Asein made the call at the 2026 edition annual copyright seminar for journalists on Thursday in Abuja.

The seminar  organised by the commission, was themed “”Copyright Protection: Empowering Journalists as Critical Stakeholders in the Creative Industry”.

He acknowledged  the role of journalists as partners, creators and watchdogs, adding that copyright protection cannot be achieved through legislation and enforcement alone.

“We must also build a society that understands the value of creativity and respects the rights of creators, as well as journalism that goes beyond reporting arrests, seizures and court proceedings.

“We need investigations that expose the economic structures behind piracy, examine unfair exploitation, follow royalty flows and bring the experiences of creators to public attention

“The commission will continue to work with participating institutions to translate these commitments into practical action.

“We expect the media to remain an important partner in explaining these initiatives, sustaining public attention and holding all participating institutions accountable for the results,” he said.

NCC boss  said that the theme of the seminar reflected their conviction that journalists were not merely observers or reporters of developments in the creative economy.

He said that they are  creators, copyright owners, users of protected works and influential agents of change.

According to him, journalists words, images and stories shape public opinion, influence behaviour and help determine how society understands and values creative work.

Asein said that one well-researched investigative report could sometimes achieved more in changing public attitudes than several enforcement operations.

“The  commission considers the media an indispensable partner in building a stronger copyright culture in Nigeria.

“Copyright is not an end in itself, it is an instrument for encouraging creativity, protecting intellectual effort, promoting investment and generating economic value,” he said.

He advocated for greater attention to the rights of authors, economic circumstances of creative professionals, management of copyright estates and  consequences of Artificial Intelligence(AI) for human creativity.

Asein said that the commission needed informed reporting on how copyright creates opportunities for youth employment, enterprise development, investment, and wealth creation.

“Let me emphasise that our partnership with the media does not mean that journalists should surrender their independence or professional judgment.

” On the contrary, we expect you to ask difficult questions, scrutinise our activities,  hold the commission and other institutions accountable.

“An informed and independent press strengthens public institutions and promotes better copyright governance.

“As copyright users, you must equally respect the rights of others. Attribution is important, but it does not always replace the need for authorisation,”  he said.

He encouraged media organisations to promote good copyright practices within their operations, while strengthening the professional capacity of journalists to report accurately and responsibly on intellectual property issue.

Àsein urged journalists to guide their collective efforts by putting creators first, keeping human creativity at the heart of technology, turning creativity into jobs and wealth, making piracy unprofitable, and using journalism as a force for change.

He assured journalists that the commission would continue to work with participating institutions to translate these commitments into practical action.

He also urged the media to remain an important partner in explaining these initiatives, sustaining public attention, and holding all participating institutions accountable.”

Asein appreciated members of the media for their invaluable contributions to copyright administration and the development of Nigeria’s creative economy.

Mrs Ijeoma Egbunike, Director, Public Affairs Department of the commission, in her welcome address, commended journalists for their reportage for the commission.

Egbunike added that the seminar aimed at educating journalists on copyright protection and how to effectively cover the commission.

”At the end of the day, we know that the coverage that will be coming out from this event will be massive because it will cover every area,” she said.(NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh