Crack down content piracy, COSOTA told

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Deputy Minister for Culture Arts and Sports, Hamisi Mwinjuma has urged the Copyright Office of Tanzania COSOTA to intensify fight against content piracy that is increasingly affecting the broadcasting industry in the country.

Speaking during the MultiChoice Tanzania Local Content Showcase event held in Dar es Salaam recently, the deputy minister said the government is geared to intensify campaign against content piracy and all other copy right infringements.

He noted that it is in the process of improving COSOTA’s capacity by providing the needed human capital as well as modern facilities. He admitted that copyright infringement especially content piracy adversely impacts the broadcasting industry and consequently the content producers including artists.

He said content piracy is a global phenomenon and the advancement in technology has fuelled the challenge as cyber content piracy becomes aggressive hence making the efforts to combat it become more complex.

The deputy minister said the government is taking the matter seriously, that is why it has ratified several conventions on copyright and frequent reviews of law and regulations to make sure that COSOTA has the required mandate and ability to deal with copyright infringement.

On the other hand, the minister commended MultiChoice Tanzania for its immense investment in local content production saying that such investment has played a significant role in transforming the local content production industry especially film production.

“MultiChoice is doing a great job by investing intensively in local content production. This is evident as you have even introduced two dedicated channels for local content” said the Minister adding that the contribution of film industry in job creation and national economy has increased significantly.

Earlier, MultiChoice Tanzania Board Chairman, Ambassador Ami Mpungwe, said the firm is continuing its huge investment in local content production by acquiring more local content form local producers.

“Our aim is not just acquiring more local content, but we aim at more content of better quality. To achieve this, we have introduced a training programme for filmmakers in a special MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy. This academy trains young film makers and the impact of the training is evident in our market as our local films are now scooping international awards,” he noted.

The chairman said MultiChoice will continue working hand in hand with the government to make sure there is growth of the local content production industry hence creating more jobs and increasing Film industry contribution to the national economy.