The ongoing feud between the Copyright Society of Nigeria and the alliance of the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria and the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, is taking a toll on the Nigerian music industry.
Since the ban on the airplay of works of 96 Nigerian music artistes was pronounced on December 4, a huge void has been created with regards to the contents on air of Nigerian radio and television stations.
The ban was conveyed in a statement jointly signed by Sonny Adun and Guy Murray Bruce, who are IBAN Chairman and Secretary respectively.
The dispute also appears to be detrimental to the operations at the affected radio and TV stations.
This is because most operators are having a difficult time trying to adhere to the 60 per cent local broadcast content for open television and 80 per cent local broadcast content for radio as stipulated by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission.
For terrestrial TV stations, it is business as usual since their task is to reflect a minimum of 20 per cent local content in their programming as ordered by regulatory body.
The banned songs and videos have found solace on these stations.
With more than 100 artistes under COSON watch, 85 per cent of who are popular acts, there is no gainsaying that the bulk of music air play is suffering decline.
For anchors of solely Nigerian music programming content, this is nothing but a bad time.
The affected big names include Twoface Idibia, D’banj, Omawumi, Onyeka Onwenu, Iyanya as well as other upcoming acts.
Also affected are Olamide, Dr Sid, Sammie Okposo, Banky W and Wizkid.
Commenting on the ban slammed by BON on all COSON membersm Okposo said it was not the best decision.
Okposo said: “There can be no vacuum in life.
“The implication of the ban is that foreign music will once more rule our airwaves as was the case in the past and this has cultural implications for Nigerians as a people.”
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