Cosoma calls for respect for copyright

By Jimmy Chazama and Sam Banda Jnr:

Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) has called on people in the country to treasure creative works and respect copyright as it leads the country in World Book and Copyright Day commemorations today at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.

To be presided over by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Alfred Gangata, several doings will take centre stage during the commemoration.

Cosoma Public Relations Officer Catherine Mitungwi Chiumia Wednesday called upon creatives to patronise the celebrations which will start with a road show at Community Centre Ground before the other activities at Civo Stadium.

Chiumia said the day is a reminder to people about the importance of creative works and also respect for copyright.

“This is the day where we commemorate the culture of reading, but also the importance of copyright. Copyright is not only about music but rather it also covers books and other literary works, which means every creator, deserves recognition and protection,” she said.

Chiumia stressed the need for people to respect copyright saying it is for everyone.

“The message is that let us be knowledgeable by taking interest in reading books. As a people, we also have to treasure creative works and respect copyright,” the Cosoma spokesperson said.

Book Publishers Association of Malawi (Bpam) President John Yohane Wednesday also encouraged the public to respect copyright.

“Respecting copyright leads to creatives benefiting from their works thereby enabling them to create more works,” Yohane said.

He also encouraged writers and publishers to lead in reading so as to become better writers and publishers.

“We are grateful to the government for incorporating into the reviewed curriculum regional and international languages such as Kiswahili, Portuguese and Mandarin. But we appeal to stakeholders to embrace and introduce our own local languages into formal learning,” Yohane who is Claim Mabuku General Manager said.

Pen Malawi President Alfred Msadala said the body stands for poets, essayists and novelists and that this is the base of literature.

“Literature is the foundation of life. All thought is founded on literature. If a human being cannot be creative, he ceases to have meaning and creativity gets its posterity in the book,” Msadala said.

He said ever since Pen International was established in 1921, they have celebrated literature and protected freedom of expression adding that the book is the number one asset for all humans.

Malawi Writers Union (Mawu) President Shadreck Chikoti said the World Book and Copyright Day should remind everyone that without books, the world, as we know it today, would not exist.

“The education system is based on books, so is religion, health, agriculture and many things,” Chikoti said.

World Book Day, also known as World Book and Copyright Day or International Day of the Book is an annual event organised by Unesco to promote reading, publishing and copyright.

The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Literacy through Multilingualism, Access to Books and Copyright Awareness for All’.