Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Namibian Society of Composers and Authors (Nascam) last year paid its least-paid artist a measly 78 cents in royalties, their latest financial statements show.
This is in sharp contrast with its highest-earning artist, who received N$8 000 in the same financial year. The royalties paid out in December were generated from music by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in 2020, as well as other broadcasters through a copyright music licence agreement with users of music.
In comparison, the highest-paid artist in the preceding year received N$14 000, while N$1,15 was paid to the least-paid artist. Nascam statements shows the same year saw N$45 489 being allocated to non-musical work used on radio stations, which was not registered with the society.
Meanwhile, the information shared with unWrap.online shows that Nascam collected only N$1 million in royalties for both foreign and local songwriters. Cumulatively Nascam paid local songwriters N$543 953, and foreign songwriters N$477 471.
Following huge disparities in income distribution between local and foreign songwriters, Nascam chief executive officer Eino-John Max raised concern over high payouts to foreign artists by the NBC.
“This means the NBC is playing more, or 49% foreign music, and this is a heavy blow to our local artists. Nascam is calling for strict implementation measures, and urges the NBC to level up the use of local music at its different radio services.
“We have noted with appreciation what the NBC is doing, however, we want it to play 90% local music. Please, if you don’t have enough local music, repeat playing what you have until the public or musicians themselves complain,” he said.
“We are sure our artists have produced many songs that have not been played on national radio yet. The NBC is currently the highest-paying royalties broadcaster, apart from other radio stations in the country. We take note of that, and want to see more improvement in royalties collections and usage of music.”
A further breakdown of the figures shows Nascam collected N$146 827 from the national broadcaster, followed by BMI with N$118 259, and the Southern African Music Rights Organisation with N$94 097.
The Performing Right Society of the United Kingdom collected N$ 56 035, and the fifth-highest receiver is Stim of Sweden with N$13 433, while Gema of Germany collected N$11 967. Max said 2020 and 2021 were the toughest and most challenging years, which severely undermined collective management organisations globally.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has disturbed the entertainment business, including broadcasters that use music to promote their services and products. This challenge has caused artists not to receive decent royalties for the use of their music.
“Nascam is guided by the Namibian Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection Act, as well as other international intellectual property management guidelines on how to manage copyright on music,” he said.
“The main reason for signing these agreements is to protect the interests and rights of all songwriters, their shareholders, or those who are beneficial throughout the world. It means we do not discriminate against artists. Nascam is collecting royalties for both local and international songwriters,” Max said.
Nascam is also looking at engaging the Communications Regulator Authority of Namibia (Cran) to strengthen measures to hold broadcasters responsible that are bypassing the requirements and rules on handling music.
‘RIDICULOUS’ Local musician Chikune says the current royalty payouts are ridiculous, and that she expects more of Nascam.
“Nascam is supposed to have our backs. The whole thing is not very transparent. I know my songs are playing, but I also only got paid peanuts,” she says.
Nascam must reconnect with local artists and have open conversations around the collection of royalties, she says. Namibian artist Gazza calls the royalty payouts “daylight robbery” and not in line with the amount of work artists are doing. He says it is an indication of the absence of a proper regulatory framework.
Artist Lize Ehlers says: “It shows how we have to insist that at least 50% of music on radio in Namibia should be local! And it it confirms that all local radio and TV stations must pay their royalties so that dignity can be restored to Namibian music makers.”
Big Ben says it is time Nascam members organise themselves. According to him, members are to blame for low royalty payouts, because they don’t understand how Nascam works.
Minister of education, arts and culture Anna Nghipondoka yesterday said the matter must be raised with the arts council. “In the meantime, I’ll share the concern with the relevant officers at the ministry.” unWrap.online
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