Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has expressed concerns regarding the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria’s (ARCON) recent plans to establish a Nigeria Stock Image Bank (NSIB).
In a formal statement endorsed by its executive council, ADVAN responded to ARCON’s announcement of the initiative and the formation of a committee tasked with laying the groundwork for the NSIB's establishment.
“ADVAN does not have a representative on the panel. If there is any advertiser on that panel, they are there in their organisational capacity and do not represent or speak on behalf of advertisers,” the association noted.
Emphasizing the significance of a more inclusive strategy in developing such a comprehensive system, it asserted that the creation of a platform intended for commercial interactions and housing proprietary works required the involvement of all relevant regulatory agencies with constitutional oversight.
“This inclusion is essential to ensure that regulation for the system is appropriately managed by the constitutionally empowered agencies in charge of such matters,” ADVAN stated.
The organization emphasized that this strategy would help prevent the emergence of new layers of undesirable multi-level taxation in an already heavily regulated sector.
It also highlighted that the formation of the NSIB should not impede advertisers' rights to select their vendors and contractors while engaging in lawful business operations.
Additionally, ADVAN stated that as entities with the constitutional authority to define their contractual and partnership arrangements, they will reject any framework that attempts to limit these rights.
The statement further addressed the tenets of a free market economy, promoting a system that allows both suppliers and buyers to participate freely.
ADVAN cautioned against any efforts to monopolize commercial activities, suggesting that the image bank system should convey significant value to encourage participation, rather than relying on any illegal or unconstitutional tactics.
While ADVAN expressed a commitment to the growth and success of the marketing and communication sector, it raised concerns regarding what it views as insufficient research and a lack of comprehensive stakeholder engagement in policy development.
The organization criticized the perceived superficiality of inclusion, where ADVAN's involvement is recognized but its input is reportedly overlooked.
“Finally, ADVAN desires that the marketing and communication industry move forward and thrive. It is, however, disturbing that policy creation in the industry is not achieved by an all-inclusive stakeholder approach, but by the submissions of a selected few.
“ADVAN, as a critical stakeholder in the marketing communications industry, will always be at the forefront in supporting stakeholder-inclusive, well-researched regulations for the development and viability of our industry,” the association asserted.