Film producers wantCosoma bigwigs out
The leadership of Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) has come under fire for alleged lack of transparency in the distribution of K917 million Blank Media Levy rayalties.
A group of film makers wants executive director Dora Makwinja, board chairperson Bishop Chimwemwe Mhango and head of documentation and distribution Shadrick Kumtengo to resign for allegedly failing to execute their duties.
Movie producer Jevas Mchitakupha said the distribution of the royalties in question lacked transparency and fairness.
He said there were some creatives who received disproportionately low royalties or no royalties even after distributing their work.
“About 300 Cosoma members only reeceived 28 royalties and got up to K17 million while others got nothing,” said Mchitakupha.
He said the Cosoma’s leadership has not adequately addressed their concerns and continue to be a problem since the levies were introduced. He said they want
new management to handle future disbursements.
“Cosoma’s handling of the Blank Media Levy fails to reflect the contributions of each creative sector fairly and clearly. We feel sidelined and neglected in a system that should support all creators equally,”said Mchitakupha.
In addition, he said the group has organised peaceful demonstrations today in Lilongwe where it will deliver a letter to the District Commissioner’s officer and another to Cosoma offices. They will not leave until the leadership resigns.
In a separate interview, Film Association of Malawi vice-president Ashukile Mwakisulu said they are aware of the situation and has called on Cosoma secretariat to have more engagements with the producers.
“There still seem to be a lot of misinformation about how the Blank Media Levy works and is distributed, but there is need for engagement. There is need to do more and perhaps devise a much better system even though it will take a bit of time and engagement,” he said.
But in an interview yesterday, Makwinja said producers have the right to protest if that is what they want.
She, however, indicated that Cosoma is open for discussions and engagements.
Said Makwinja: “We cannot stop them from exercising their rights, moreover this is not news because we had the same issues before.
“We have engaged them a few other times, but if they want to protest then let them do it