Broadcasting
Copyright Commission Boss Calls for Effective Legal Framework

For the full potential of the sporting and associated industries to be realised, countries must put in place adequate, responsive, and effective legal frameworks for the protection, administration and enforcement of rights.
Mr John Asein, Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), stated this in Abuja, in his goodwill message to mark the 2019 World Intellectual Property Day.
He noted that the Federal Executive Council recently approved a Draft Copy Bill
Government “that is forward-looking and better suited for the digital environment“.
According to him, the move is also a government response to the need to modernise its copyright system and better-emerging challenges.
The director-general said NCC joined in marking the day because Nigeria occupied a unique place in the world of sports, given its exploits and remarkable success in various sporting events.
He paid tribute to talented youths, men and women whose sporting talents, particularly in football, boxing, weightlifting, and athletes continued to bring laurels and honour to the country.
”On this occasion, we pay tribute to our talented youths, men and women whose sporting talents continue to bring laurels and honour to the country.
“Across national boundaries, the universal value of sports in today’s world is phenomenal.
“It has become a multi-billion–dollar global industry that creates employment attracts investment and contributes to the growth of a whole chain of dependent industries.
“Business relationships built on intellectual property rights help to secure the economic value of sports, “ he said.
He said the day was set aside by member states of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to raise global awareness on the importance of Intellectual property (IP).
Asein said the theme of the event, ‘Reach for Gold: IP and Sports“, was chosen to take a closer look inside the world of sports, the creative and innovative elements that sustained them.
He said it was also on how intellectual property could continue to improve the future of sports.
Asein said the industry created employment, attracts investment and contribute to the growth of a whole chain of dependent industries.
”It is estimated that intellectual property lies at the heart of the commercial exploitation of sports, contributing substantially to the growth of a community of players, fans whose net worth over 300 billion dollars.
”The use of intellectual property rights, through branding, merchandising, licensing of live broadcast and transmission of sporting events represents significant streams of income in the sports sector.
He called on all stakeholders to continue to support the government in its determination to build a functional copyright system, that would deliver the expected dividends to right owners.
Broadcasting
Idris, Information Minister Says Only NBC can Suspend Broadcast Licences

Mohammed Idris, minister of information, has reacted to the closure of Badeggi FM radio station in Niger state.

Mohammed Idris, minister of information,
On Friday, Umar Bago, governor of Niger state, ordered the commissioner of police to seal off Badeggi FM radio station over alleged incitement of violence.
A statement by Bologi Ibrahim, chief press secretary to the Niger governor, said the “daily activities of the radio station have been unethical”.
“Governor Bago also accused the owner of the station of incitement of the people against the government and directed that the license of the radio station be revoked,” the statement reads in part.
Reacting in a statement at the weekend, Rabiu Ibrahim, special assistant (media) to Idris, said the ministry has noted concerns raised by stakeholders in the media industry over the governor’s directive.
Idris said the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has the legal authority to suspend or revoke broadcast licences.
“While acknowledging the concerns raised, the Ministry notes that the suspension of broadcasting licenses falls within the purview of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as stipulated by law,” he said.
“In light of this, the Ministry welcomes the decision of the Niger State Government to formally report the perceived “unethical behavior” of Badegi FM to the NBC for resolution.
“The Minister appeals to all parties to remain calm, assuring that the NBC has the necessary mechanisms to resolve the issue in a fair and impartial manner.”
According to the information posted on its website, Badeggi Radio 90.1 FM, Minna, is a private radio station established in 2020 by Shuaibu Badeggi.
Broadcasting
Government of Ghana Slams MultiChoice, Insists on DStv Price Cut

Samuel Nartey George, minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Government of Ghana, has accused MultiChoice Ghana of showing disregard for Ghanaians by refusing to reduce its DStv subscription fees despite favourable economic indicators.
In a social media post on Sunday, August 3, the minister said the company’s latest statement vindicates his long-held view that it does not take Ghanaians seriously.
“I have read the release by DStv Ghana and taken full consideration that they vindicate my earlier position that they simply do not take the Ghanaian people serious enough,” he wrote.
The minister had earlier given MultiChoice Ghana a seven-day ultimatum, ending August 7, to review its bouquet prices downward or face the suspension of its operating licence by the National Communications Authority (NCA).
He cited the cedi’s appreciation, dropping inflation, and reduced fuel prices as justification for the directive.
But MultiChoice, in a statement dated August 3 and signed by its Alex Okyere, managing director, said while it acknowledges the recent economic gains, it finds the demand to reduce prices untenable.
“While we appreciate the recent appreciation of the Cedi (which we have never referred to as a ‘fluke’), it is not tenable to reduce the DStv subscription fees in the manner proposed by the Minister,” the statement said.
The company said it had engaged the Ministry and the NCA in good faith and remained committed to resolving the matter through constructive dialogue for the interest of its stakeholders and staff.
Sam George, however, dismissed these claims, noting that the company responded differently when it was faced with similar pressure in Nigeria.
“The same group operating in Nigeria reversed price increases when the Nigerian authorities sued them. The Nigerian House of Representatives took the matter up and ordered a suspension of the increases. They complied,” he said.
He also revealed details of an alternative proposal by the company, which he rejected.
According to him, MultiChoice had suggested maintaining the current prices while halting the transfer of revenue to their headquarters.
“In all honesty, that offer lacks any logic in my estimation. The essence of my action is to see Ghanaians pay a fair price for the services offered. How does this proposal solve the real issue?” he asked.
I have read the release by DStv Ghana and taken full consideration that they vindicate my earlier position that they simply do not take the Ghanaian people serious enough.
The same Group operating in Nigeria reversed price increases in Nigeria when the Nigerian authorities sued them.
The Nigerian House of Representatives took the matter up and ordered a suspension of the increases. They complied.
This year, in April, at a time the Ghanaian cedi had seen a ~10% appreciation against all major currencies, inflation had dropped by over 5% and fuel prices had also dropped, DStv announced and implemented a 15% increase.
I believe in the interest of transparency, I make public the alternate proposal that DStv offered to me that I flatly rejected.
They proposed that I allow them maintain the collection of the exorbitant bouquet prices as they stand but order them not to send the revenue to their headquarters.
In all honesty, that offer lacks any logic in my estimation. The essence of my action is to see Ghanaians pay a fair price for the services offered. How does this proposal solve the real issue?
For far too long, corporations have fleeced the Ghanaian people.
There has been a RESET and it demands a new style of public service that is fiercely protective of the Ghanaian people.
I remain empathetic to the Ghanaian staff of DStv but I believe that they should stand with the rest of us as we demand what is right for us.
I remain open to “constructive engagements” that are centred on PRICE REDUCTION. Anything else is tangential and of no consequence.
Broadcasting
SERAP Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum to Niger Governor Over Badeggi FM Closure

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given Governor Umar Bago of Niger State a 48-hour ultimatum to reverse the decision to shut down Badeggi FM 90.1, a privately owned radio station located in Minna, the state capital.

Governor Umar Bago
SERAP made the demand in a letter dated August 2, signed by its Deputy Director, Mr. Kolawole Oluwadare. The organisation described the governor’s directive as arbitrary and unlawful, urging immediate reinstatement of the station’s licence and withdrawal of the alleged threat to demolish the premises.
The group also called for the protection of the station’s owner, Mr. Shuaibu Badeggi, and staff members, citing rising concerns over media repression. It warned that the government’s actions risk violating Nigeria’s constitutional provisions and international obligations on press freedom and human rights.
Gov. Bago had, on August 1, ordered the immediate closure of Badeggi FM, citing unethical journalism, incitement, and opposition to his administration’s New Niger Development Agenda.
He directed the state’s Commissioner of Homeland Security to profile the owner and also threatened demolition of the station’s facility.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) described the action as executive rascality, stating that only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has the authority to revoke a broadcast licence.
NBA President, Mr. Afam Osigwe, urged security agencies to disregard unlawful orders that undermine constitutional rights.
SERAP warned that failure to comply within the specified timeframe would prompt legal action to uphold the public’s right to access information and protect media freedom in the state.
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