Actress and producer, Iyabo Ojo has raised the alarm over the alleged unauthorized broadcast of her new film, ‘The Memory Of You’, by a television station in Ghana.
In a video posted on Instagram on Saturday, Ojo said she was shocked to discover the film airing on Ghanaian TV less than a day after its YouTube premiere.
“I found out that there’s this TV station in Ghana already showing my movie on their TV channel. I don’t understand. I didn’t give you permission. I don’t know you,” she said.
Frustration
The actress expressed frustration that the alleged piracy undermines the efforts of Nigerian filmmakers who invest heavily to produce content.
“You just took the movie that I posted on my YouTube channel, not even up to 24 hours, and put it on your TV for people to watch for free while you make money. How do we make our money back?” she asked.
Ojo appealed to the Ghana National Film Authority, the country’s minister of information, and the President to step in.
“Ghana National Film Authority, the minister in Ghana, the Ghanaian President himself, please look into this because it is very unfair that we Nigerians work so hard to produce our movies and some people sit in their corner transmitting them on local TV,” she said.
She noted that production involves huge expenses, from cast and crew payments to locations, costumes and equipment, and that such actions threaten the survival of the industry.
Reactions
The post drew reactions from colleagues.
Actress Destiny Etiko wrote, “That’s what they do to all our movies. I have complained so much, and I’m tired.”
Bimbo Ademoye also commented, “Watch them come and say they’re doing you a favour. Then someone will say they’re working on it, and later turn around and say you’re clout chasing.”
Several fans in the comments urged Ojo to pursue legal action.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
