Kenya agrees with global social media networks on monetization of content
Date: 2023-08-26
Kenya has reached
agreements with global digital platforms on the monetisation of content.
President
William Ruto said YouTube, X.com (formerly Twitter) and Facebook have agreed to
push for revenue earnings from content created by the youth.
He
noted that the Government has engaged the leadership of the said firms with the
aim of creating opportunities for gifted Kenyans.
“The establishment of a robust creative
economy is our priority,” he said.
He
explained that converting talents into livelihoods requires commercial acumen.
He
spoke at State House in Nakuru County during the 95th Kenya Music Festival
Winners’ State Concert. He lauded the participants for their incredible
performances and committed to lay more emphasis on the creative sector for the
youth to productively exploit their talents.
First Lady Rachel Ruto,
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretaries, Nakuru Governor Susan
Kihika and a host of MPs were present.
President
Ruto disclosed that on Thursday (tomorrow), he will have talks with the global
Chief Executive Officer of TikTok Tok Shou Zi Chew on content moderation and
monetisation.
“We want to agree on a mechanism to
moderate content on TikTok so that we can reduce negative content and leverage
on monetisation that will benefit more people.”
He
announced that the Permanent Presidential Music Commission will be rebranded to
Creative Commision of Kenya and revamped to boost the creative industry.
“The Commission will have professional
studios in every county to give opportunities to every artist,” he added.
The
President directed the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to
digitise all performances within a month and run a monetised YouTube channel.
“We believe it is possible to build a
society where the artist, the songwriter, the choreographer, the
instrumentalist and the vocalist can make a decent living from their craft and
talents,”
he said
The
Head of State said the Government will promote teachers who have excelled in
the training of artists in schools.
“We will also offer scholarships to learners
who flourished in this festival.”
