At the fourth edition of the Peace Anyiam-Osigwe Nigeria Digital Content Regulation Conference 2024, organised by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) between November 14 – 15, 2024, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) contributed to a panel session titled “Filmmakers Content Creators Assembly: Balancing Creativity and Responsibility.”
Speaking during the panel session, Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA, examined the ongoing debate between the didactic role of art and the concept of art for art’s sake, particularly within the context of Nigeria’s cultural, religious, and public health realities. He highlighted how the arts, especially film, play an important role in shaping societal values and influencing public behaviour, underscoring the need for creative works to reflect a balance between unrestricted expression and social responsibility.
Akinbode commended the NFVCB for its proactive measures, including the recent passage of an industry regulation prohibiting the excessive depictions of tobacco glamourisation and ritual killings in films. These steps, he argued, are commendable strides toward protecting public health and addressing societal concerns exacerbated by unregulated content. He further advocated for tailored classifications targeting smoking and tobacco consumption in films and digital content, aligning Nigeria’s regulatory framework with global standards such as those set by the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
Importantly, Akinbode clarified that such regulations and classifications are not designed to stifle artistic creativity but to refine the narratives presented to audiences, ensuring they promote healthier behaviours and discourage harmful practices. He said that these measures are critical in safeguarding public health while still allowing the arts to thrive as a medium of expression and cultural enrichment.
Other panellists included award-winning actress and fitness enthusiast Kate Henshaw; producer and President of the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria, Queen Blessing; award-winning actor Chidi Mokeme; award-winning filmmaker and CEO of TFP Global Network, Teco Benson MFR; and National President of the Association of Movie Content Owners and Producers/Distributors of Nigeria (AMCOD), Alhaji Toyin Uthman. The session was moderated by actor, ace comedian, and MC Atuyota Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba.
The National Digital Content Regulation Conference (NDCRC) is named after the late iconic film entrepreneur, author, and founder of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.
