Govt faces another ultimatum:Malawi musicians want Copyright bill passed

Musicians in Malawi have threatened an unspecified action against government if it fails to enact a Copyright Bill into law during the next seating of parliament next year.

Rev Chimwemwe Mhango, Martha Mituka and Lulu - Photo by Chris Loka, Nyasa Times
Rev Chimwemwe Mhango, Martha Mituka and Lulu – Photo by Chris Loka, Nyasa Times

President of Musicians Union of Malawi Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango said it was worrisome the bill has been in is gathering dust in government shelves at Capital Hill in Lilongwe since  2011.

“It is a  pity that musicians are no longer reaping from their hard work due to piracy which is on the increase now. Malawians musicians are getting poorer and poorer not because they are not creative and talented enough but their skill is wasted because of piracy,” lamented Mhango.

The fired Livingstonia synod church cleric and a great gospel musician himself said the Copyright Bill is aimed at protecting the musicians from exploitation.

“Imagine, the law now fines pirates a mere K5000 to K15000 but the new law will empower magistrates to slap pirates millions of money and kong terms of jail to deter others from the malpractice,” he said.

He said he has on several times approached ministry of Justice officials to speed up the enacting of the law but they have never given satisfactory answers hence the need to give the government an ultimatum.

Civil society groups, the powerful media owners and the opposition are up in arms for the government failure to pass the Access to Information bill.

The media owners representatives who include Times Group’s Leonard Chikadya, Nation Publication’s Mbumba Banda,Zodiak’s Gospel Kazako and Capital Radiols Alaudin Osman joined hamds with Namisa president Thom Khanje and Medical  Council of Malawi’s Chijere Chirwa to write a petition to President Peter Mutharika to remind him of promiseson the said bill and threatened an unspecified action if the ill is not passed by Friday, December 4, 2015. Ironically, parliament is rising onthe same date so it is unllikely the bill will be passed.

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The Analyst
The Analyst
8 years ago

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… The importance of this bill needs not be overemphasized. You musicians are losing out alot. If it wernt for piracy, Joe Gwaladi, ma blaks n many others could have been sticking millionaires. Alas!!! ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Just go to Ndirande or any ghetto, you will have Kuimba 1 to kuimba 19, burnt on one disk at K250 only. Kubatu uku! Are you sure after having all the songs, one can find the impetus to buy an original 10-track disk at K1000? Not the Malawian I have known for years. Sadly, the one who first burns the disk just shares the songs… Read more »

Alex Tulamah Tulamah
8 years ago

Ngati akubaledwa ankhala kale what more ma new camarfe mpakana anthu akuopa kujambula nyimbo chifukwa nchitidwe wa pirates

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