Antiguan and Barbudan content creators who have struggled to earn revenue from their online work could eventually benefit from a new government-supported arrangement designed to open greater opportunities in the international digital economy.
Cabinet has begun examining a proposal that could help local creators collect income from content distributed through digital platforms.
The matter was discussed during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, with Minister Melford Nicholas highlighting the possibility of establishing an entity to aggregate locally produced digital content.
Under the proposal, the entity could serve as a mechanism through which revenue generated from eligible content is collected and distributed to creators.
Cabinet acknowledged concerns that content creators in Antigua and Barbuda and other parts of the Caribbean do not always enjoy the same financial opportunities available to individuals operating in larger international markets.
The proposed arrangement could potentially benefit persons producing videos, music, entertainment, educational material, commentary and other forms of online content.
Nicholas has been tasked with examining the feasibility of the proposal and identifying possible mechanisms through which local creators could benefit more fully from the international digital marketplace.
However, Cabinet emphasised that discussions remain preliminary and that no final structure has been approved.
The government wants to determine whether a practical and sustainable system can be developed to ensure creators receive appropriate financial returns for their work.
The initiative is being considered as part of the government’s wider efforts to expand Antigua and Barbuda’s digital and creative industries.
Cabinet believes that improved access to digital revenue opportunities could be particularly beneficial to young people seeking to transform their creative abilities into sustainable sources of income.
Further recommendations are expected following the Minister’s examination of the proposal.
