Bala Orders Officials to Rid Market of Bad Films
Director General of the board, Mr. Patricia Bala gave the charge to officials while briefing journalists in Lagos.
She said officials of the board have already swung into action in some zones as part of effort to bring sanity into the market.
According to her, some of those contravened have complained that they should be left alone since they were licensed by the board, stressing that officials have on a number of occasion informed affected individuals that their license does not authorize them to sell unclassified and unwholesome films.
She said that the board does not ban films but would mandate producers to make adjustment in areas deemed to be offensive to enable the board to classify it.
She explained that as at December, 2013, at least 50,000 films have been documented by the board adding that there has been a more matured approach to film production in Nigeria but condemned refusal by producers to make children films despite the award floated by the board for child-friendly movies.
She said only seven films were rated ‘G’ last year, stressing that there is the need to encourage production of more children films.
On disparity between films classified by the board and those classified by the Digital Satellite Television (DStv) based on ratings approved in South Africa, she said that the board is working with some of the countries to harmonize the rating so as to avoid disparity.
Bala said that the board is working on amendment of Decree 85s of 1993 which established the board to bring it in line with present reality.
By Emmanuel Thomas
