THE government has vowed to work tirelessly to address all matters related to copyright infringement and content piracy to empower stakeholders in the creative industry to benefit from the content created.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports, Saidi Yakubu, made the remarks during the MultiChoice Media Showcase 2022 event in Dar es Salaam.
At the event, he assured the government is working on the matter, and we hope with our collective efforts, we will succeed.
“We understand that every industry has its challenges, and we have been informed that one of the biggest challenges in the creative industry is Copyright infringement and for broadcasters is content piracy.
I would like to assure you that the government is working tirelessly to address this issue and as you are aware recently the government formed a special committee to review matters related to copyright infringement and content piracy.
We thank all stakeholders including MultiChoice who submitted their comments to the committee. Rest assured that the government is working on the matter, and we hope with our collective efforts we will succeed.”
He further urged operators to refrain from copyright infringement as the government, through the Copyright Office (COSOTA), will not be silent to all who commit such acts of vandalism but will hold them legally accountable.
“I would like to urge all operators and individuals to refrain from copyright infringement. The issue of copyright is guided by international laws and treaties which we as a country did ratify so we are obliged to adhere to such treaties.
We have received several complaints regarding copyright infringements especially content piracy in broadcasting. I urge the relevant authority, especially COSOTA to take up the matter and ensure law enforcement.
We have been informed of serious content piracy especially sports and film content. We understand that there are broadcasters with exclusive rights on certain content. It is important that such rights are respected by all players to avoid chaos in the market.”
To ensure most youths in the creative industry benefit from the content, MultiChoice Tanzania have opened doors to work with them and help them improve their talents economically.
The Board Director of MultiChoice Tanzania, Nehemiah Mchechu, revealed that they had improved the film industry by offering locally produced content to the global arena.
He added that with the investment they put, and the ever-growing government support, Tanzania’s film industry will increase its contribution to the national economy by creating more jobs and foreign earnings as our film will penetrate to the world markets.
“Due to our investment in the industry, we have seen significant improvement of our film industry, as the locally produced content is now competing in the global arena.
This year our productions have scooped awards in different renowned awards like the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF).
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