Law of the dance: legal and regulatory framework for promoting appropriate music content in Nigeria

Abstract

The Nigerian music industry has evolved from humble beginnings. It has witnessed a rapid ascendance from ancient cultural songs based on the norms and customs of the people around where the music emanated, to a global multi-billion-naira industry. The industry is largely regulated by the National Broadcasting Commission, National Film and Video Censors Board, and the Copyright Protection laws and other interest bodies. These institutions have statutory roles to review and censure music contents that overstep or collide with cultural, legal, ethical or intellectual property requirements or norms. However, the recent rise in the rate of release and production of lewd, inappropriate and culturally incompatible music contents in the Nigerian music industry have generated calls for a closer review of how regulatory institutions can be strengthened to effectively address the negative impacts of contemporary music on Nigerian laws and norms, especially among youths. This article evaluates the roles of law in regulating the contemporary music industry in Nigeria to ensure coherence and compatibility with ethical, legal and cultural norms. It analyses how current regulatory institutions in Nigeria can be strengthened to effectively discharge their regulatory roles of ensuring the appropriateness of music content for the good of the Nigerian society.

Keywords: Music, appropriate content, videos, lyrics, effects, youths, culture.