By Jimmy Chazama and Sam Banda Jnr:
Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) has disbursed over K200 million to 1,908 creatives for royalties in the categories of broadcast, public performance and reprography.
According to a statement released by the copyright body dated March 18, 2026, Cosoma has disbursed a total of K234, 579,389.10.
The statement indicates that a total of K63,537,119.10 has been disbursed to 825 creatives for broadcasting private radios for the period January 2021 to December 2024 whereas for public performance a total of K63, 980,036 has been distributed to 461 creatives for the period April 2024 to March 2025.
On reprography, a total of K107, 062,234 has been disbursed to 622 creatives for the period April 2024 to March 2025.
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The distribution of the royalties started on March 17, 2026.
In another development, creatives in the Central Region yesterday took time out to highlight some of the challenges affecting the sector during an advocacy workshop held in Lilongwe organised by Cosoma with funding from Royal Norwegian Embassy.
It follows another meeting in the Southern Region last week.
Held at Sunbird Capital Hotel, the workshop which run under the theme ‘Empowering Cultural Practitioners in Malawi for Enhanced Freedom of Expression Project, creatives raised among others, issues abuse in the industry which they indicated needs to be stopped.
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Project Manager for 4Kaya Filmz Daudi Shaibu said creatives remain sidelined in decision making spaces.
“Normally, we are not considered in key positions, be it as board members or in higher offices. This needs to change,” Shaibu said.
The creatives which included actors, filmmakers, visual artists and musicians, also said they wanted to have an audience with the line minister to present some of their challenges.
Facilitator Ezaius Mkandawire said some of the barriers facing the sector; include limited funding and weak intellectual property protection.
“We are struggling with limited access to funding and grants, and weak policies and these continue to hold back the growth of the industry,”Mkandawire said.
Cosoma vice board chairperson Edgar Kachere of the Edgar ndi Davis Band, who is also a lawyer, said freedom of expression carries with it responsibility.
“We can create music, books, drama and films, but we must be responsible enough not to injure the reputation of others. Rights have limits,” Kachere said.
Cosoma spokesperson Catherine Mitungwi Chiumia said the project has made strong progress in its first year and that it will expand further.
“We are working to make sure that all cultural practitioners in Malawi have that freedom to express themselves through their works,” Chiumia said.
Other notable faces that patronised the workshop included gospel musicians Ephraim Zonda from Great Angels Choir and Miracle Chinga.
