Boccim Media Sector members have acknowledged that the new media law is in effect and shall be upheld by practitioners.
Members expressed the need to explore ways to operate media business in the best possible way whilst maintaining compliance with the media law.
Boccim has requested from the MCST to have a seat on Media and Creative industry regulatory bodies. To this effect, The Ministry has invited Boccim to sit on the New Media Council’s initial committee. Boccim has also been invited to have a representative seat on the Film Office committee. Boccim Media sector gladly accepts these positions and looks forward to having meaning full in put on future regulations.
2. Freelancers at BTV barred from freelancing at Private Media
This matter had been addressed at a previous Media Advisory Council meeting
And Boccim was assured that Freelance "On Air personalities" working at BTV and or RB2 are not prohibited from doing freelance or casual work at a private broadcastors. Unfortunatly the practice seems to have crept back.
In the latest meeting with DBS, it was made clear by DBS management that freelance presenters are not subject to the limitations or the advantages of a full time employee, and they are free to freelance where ever they choose.
Naturally industry standard practice of respecting copyright programs and stylistic
practices may not be presented for the benefit of a competing broadcastors or audience.
3. Copyright Society “Cosbots”
Cosbots is still not fully operational due to lack of capacity. The organisation has moved to protect the royalty income of Batswana artists who’s works are being exploited abroad, by seeking temporary membership of Batswana artists in the UK Copyright Collecting Society “PRS”. The membership has been granted.
4. The Department of Broadcasting Services has actively engaged Cosbots.
We welcome the department’s establishment of a copyright admin office within the department and the department’s endeavours to be compliant with the Copyright and neighbouring rights act, in accounting for use
of protected works.
5. Boccim has met with management of DBS to discuss the implementation of the General Purpose Studio which is to be used for Aspiring Batswana artists to record their works. Parties will work towards actualizing the objectives of this initiative and ensuring that private production houses are not adversely affected by its implementation and that both the artists and the publisher (DBS) are able to benefit from the use of the works produced under this initiative.
6. Boccim welcomes the on going efforts by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. As it combats piracy and counterfeiting in the creative industry.
