Video Censorship and Classification in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects of National Film and Video Censor’s Board

Abstract

State’s involvement in film/video industry worldwide, although varied in scope and nature, is not new but, usually communicated through capacity explicit organs. In Nigeria, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), is an organ of sort. Without a doubt, the Nigerian government through the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) strives to ensure the protection of vulnerable members of the society, such as teenagers from the anticipated negative contents of video works. Researchers have contended that; detailed as the framework for censorship and classification provided by the board may appear, the NFVCB remains largely ineffectual in carrying out its mandate. This is because it is undeniably faced with loads of problems in the discharge of its duties. It is in accordance with this contention and the regulatory policies of the NFVCB that, this paper sought to examine the performance of the Board with a view to ascertaining the challenges it has had over the years while performing its job and what prospects it has going forward. The paper does not aim to be judgmental but a diagnostic’s tool consequently; it sought to proffer solutions that will educate future administrative changes for better execution by the Board. This is done by exploring significant writing, utilizing verifiable, expository, observatory and meeting techniques to look at the issues encompassing the Board. The paper concludes by making a few proposals and suggestions that would assist with promoting and enhancing the work of NFVCB in the Nigeria film/video industry going forward.

Keywords: Censorship, Classification, Challenges, Prospects and Video