Jonilar urges social media platforms to revamp copyright policies

Leading digital music expert Jonilar is spearheading a powerful advocacy, calling on major social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, to reconsider their stance on copyright policies and terms of engagement. 

In the midst of the digital transformation era, where social media has become an integral aspect of daily life, Jonilar highlights the pressing need for fair compensation for content creators who integrate songs by musicians and other intellectual property owners into their content.

The surge in content creation has brought to light a critical issue faced by many content creators: the daunting challenge of incorporating copyrighted material into their videos. Shockingly, there’s a staggering 99% probability that such content will be either blocked or deleted due to copyright infringement. While these measures intend to safeguard the rights of artists and creators, they often lead to disheartening outcomes.

The vivid image of crafting a masterpiece only to witness it silenced or removed due to a few seconds of music remains a significant concern, stifling creativity and limiting content creators’ ability to share their unique perspectives.

Jonilar’s advocacy also sheds light on the hidden disparity faced by content creators who utilize songs by renowned artists such as Sarkodie, Rema, or Beyoncé. Despite contributing to a platform’s popularity with viral content that amasses millions of views, shares, and engagement, content creators are often left without financial compensation.

This glaring discrepancy underscores the current imbalance within the system. Content creators devote their time, effort, and resources to curate compelling content, and it’s only just that they receive a rightful share of the success their creations bring to these platforms.

The digital landscape is rapidly evolving, ushering in an era where nearly every social media user possesses the potential to become a content creator with nothing more than a smartphone capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos. This democratization of content creation emphasizes the platforms’ dependence on the diverse array of creators they host.

Jonilar’s call for overhauled copyright policies and engagement terms isn’t aimed at undermining the rights of artists. Instead, it champions the creation of an ecosystem that thrives on creativity, collaboration, and fair compensation. Content creators contribute immensely to the vibrancy and allure of these platforms, deserving their share of the success that follows.

In regions like Ghana and across Africa, where the cost of internet data is significant, participating in the online community entails substantial expenses. As users actively engage on platforms like Facebook,YouTube, and Instagram, it’s crucial to ensure that their contributions are met with a system that encourages participation without imposing financial strain.

Recent statistics from July 2023 underscore the significant time users invest in various social media platforms. Facebook leads the pack with an average of 33 minutes of daily usage, followed by YouTube at 19 minutes. Snapchat and Instagram follow closely with 30 and 29 minutes respectively. These figures underscore the importance of establishing an environment that nurtures and rewards content creators.

In the ever-evolving realm of social media, the time is ripe for a reimagining of copyright policies and engagement terms. By advocating for fair compensation for content creators who incorporate songs and intellectual property, social media platforms can establish an ecosystem that celebrates creativity, fosters emerging talent, and rewards those who contribute to their vibrancy.

This paradigm shift isn’t merely a step towards change; it’s a leap towards a future where collaboration and innovation are lauded, and content creators can genuinely thrive. It’s time for the digital world to mirror the progress of the physical world, and for that progress to be shared by all.