The Nigerian Press Council has reiterated its commitment to partner with the Nigerian Copyright Commission in the fight against online piracy.

The executive secretary of the NPC, Dili Ezughah, disclosed this during a seminar organised by NCC for journalists on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Ezughah said the partnership with NCC would reduce online piracy to a minimum.

He said that the council has the responsibility to regulate print media activities and ensure that journalists in the print media adhere to ethical standards.

He said online media has made it possible for people who are not trained as journalists, because they have an Android phone, to publish information that could cause a lot of problems in the country.

The NPC boss said they were currently working on a pre-fact-checking app that would monitor people’s activities.

“The pre-fact checker will be able to identify that this thing an individual is doing is not correct. It is misinformation and disinformation, and then it stops the disinformation from going public. We want to stem the tide of this misinformation, fake news, disinformation and other things,” he said.

He added that NPC was working on expanding its scope of operations.

“We have prepared a bill, an amendment to the existing bill, to ensure that the Press Council covers the electronic media. Electronic media, where we hope that the pre-fact checker app that we are presently working on will be of great use and importance to the country. I want to assure the NCC DG that NPC will partner with the commission to fight against online piracy,” he assured.

Jahman Anikulapo, an art and culture advocate, said the media’s role was to provide information and educate. Mr Anikulapo, who is also a seasoned journalist, said such information should be used by journalists to enlighten and empower the public.

According to him, when a journalist is empowered, such a reporter will manifest his or her potential. He urged journalists to see themselves not just as reporters but as advocates.

“As a cultural reporter, you must be an advocate who will engage the public and the creative sector you are covering, as you belong to the ecosystem. We should be observant to see copyright abusers and advocate for it. Copyright is somebody’s work; infringement is stealing. We have to advocate on it and partner with NCC to ensure that people’s work is not infringed,” he said

(NAN)