Broadcasting Movies Without Authorisation Violates Exclusive Rights- NFA

The National Film Authority (NFA) has issued a directive to all television channels in Ghana, requiring them to seek permission from copyright owners before broadcasting any films on their platforms.

This move comes after the NFA received numerous complaints from global film distributors about unauthorised broadcasting of movies by some terrestrial channels and media houses in Ghana.

Ruth Kadiri, an actress and producer from Nigeria, is one of those individuals who has requested that the NFA take action before she files a lawsuit against Ghanaian television stations for airing her content without permission.

According to the NFA, broadcasting movies without authorisation violates their exclusive rights and constitutes copyright infringement, which attracts both civil and criminal liabilities.

The list of complaints include:

(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.

The directive is in accordance with 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).

NFA’s Massive Support To These Film Projects

Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante, Chief Executive Officer of the National Film Authority (NFA), issued a statement that was signed by her. In it, she advised all owners of terrestrial channels as well as media companies to conduct an evaluation of the movies and films that are currently being broadcast on their channels to ensure that the copyright owners have granted the necessary authorizations.

According to a portion of the statement, “they must immediately cease and desist from broadcasting until the necessary authorization is obtained”. If any channel or media house is discovered to be broadcasting a movie or film without the necessary authorization, they would be held liable.

The NFA’s directive aims to protect the intellectual property rights of copyright owners and ensure that the Ghanaian film industry operates within a legal and regulated framework.

The authority is committed to enforcing the legal framework for the Ghanaian film industry’s production, regulation, and development as well as fostering a Ghanaian film ecosystem that is both sustainable and vibrant.