The National Film Authority has advised television channels to seek permission for all films they show on their platforms.
This directory, according to the NFA, has precipitated by a series of complaints lodged with the Authority by film distributors globally.
The complaints are as follows:
(1) A number of terrestrial channel owners and media houses in Ghana broadcast/air movies or films on their channels.
(2) The broadcasting/airing of these movies or films are being done without the authorisation from the movie creators/copyright owners.
(3) The unauthorised broadcasting/airing of the said movies or films is in violation of exclusive rights of the copyright owners.
By the authority’s statutory function of ensuring compliance with laws regulating copyright within the Ghanaian film industry as set out in section 3(e)(iv) of the Development and Classification of Film Act 2016 (Act 935), it has admonished that “any terrestrial channel owner or media house that intends to broadcast/air a movie or film to its viewers must obtain the requisite authorisation or license from the creator/copyright owner of the movie or film. Broadcasting/airing a movie or film without authorisation from the creator/copyright owner constitutes a copyright infringement which attracts both civil and criminal liabilities.”
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In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority (NFA), Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante, she has advised that “all terrestrial channel owners or media houses conduct assessments of all movies or films currently being broadcasted or aired on their respective channels and verifications carried out to ensure that requisite authorisations to broadcast particular movies or films have been obtained from the creators/copyright owners concerned.”
The statement further indicates that where the assessment reveals the absence of the requisite authorisation to broadcast a particular movie or film, terrestrial channel owners or media houses concerned are required to immediately cease and desist from broadcasting/airing the said movie or film until the requisite authorisation is obtained.
The National Film Authority is a government agency mandated to enforce the legal framework for the production, regulation, nurturing and development of the Ghanaian film industry, and for the distribution, exhibition and marketing of films and related matters.
It was set up by the Government of Ghana under the Development and Classification of Film Act 935 to regulate and streamline the ecosystem of film in Ghana.
SOURCE:MYJOYONLINE
