A short while ago, I saw a post made by Zainab Olayiwola, calling on the Proprietor of a radio station where she worked until recently, to prevail on the management to stop a programme concept she initiated.
This post is something I had intended to write about, but for some reasons, kept postponing. It feels like a good time to speak on the issue.
To the best of my knowledge, there are three kinds of programmes in a radio station. These are:
1. Station Programmes.
These ones are conceived, named and promoted by the Radio Station itself. Anchors would be staff or any freelancer who agrees to take up such task.
2. Personal Programmes (or whatever you call them)
These are programme concepts introduced by Staff or freelancers. The concepts are wholly developed by the Anchors, while the radio station provides airtime to air such programme(s).
3. Commercial Programmes
These are programmes whose Anchors (and/or sponsors) purchased airtime to air a content they developed and fully own.
For this conversation, let us focus on the 1st and 2nd categories.
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When OAPs leave a Radio Station, one of the most silent battles that follow is the former Station insisting on continuing a programme concept that their ex-Staff introduced. On the flip side, there are also OAPs who leave Radio Stations and export a programme concept belonging to their former employer, to their new place of work.
When you ask me, both are acts of irresponsibility, intellectual property theft, and a cringe-worthy lack of basic dignity.
The Radio industry must come to this point where we respect intellectual property boundaries. We must come to the point where we respect the ingenuity of content inventors and allow them enjoy the benefits of their efforts.
The relationship between a radio station and their OAP is Mutualism. The OAP creates and drives content, the Station provides airtime and salary. When that relationship stops, the benefits from either directions should respectfully cease. Salaries will stop. Airtime will stop, and by that logic, continuation of programmes must also depend on who the original concept owner is between the two parties.
When the parties separate, both must understand the boundaries of human dignity and integrity that should not be crossed. An OAP should not export a station programme to another station, while a radio station should not steal from its former employee.
Unfortunately however, we have come to this point in the industry where Stations blatantly, unrepentantly, and quite shamelessly, steal concepts from old staff and carry on like nothing happened.
We also unfortunately have OAPs who leave former employers, with scores of stolen programme concepts.
We should do better in this area. I pray.
So, the question. When OAPs leave, who owns the content?
The answer is simple. The concept belongs to the original developer of the concept. If the Station initiated the programme, then the Station must have it. If the OAP initiated the programme, the Station must respect itself and let the OAP have it.
Anything outside the above, is Intellectual Property theft that we all must jointly condemn.
May God help us.
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AT.
2024-09-23