By Eva Chipa
Business Development Manager in Licensing, Manaileng Maphike at the Southern African Music Rights Organization speaks on the need for synergy between community radio and their organization.
SAMRO’s role is to administer performing rights on behalf of artists registered with the organization through licensing music users such as radio stations and television broadcasters.
Maphike explains that community radio plays a critical role in the music value chain because most artists get their big break through the help of community radio stations. However, the challenge faced by SAMRO is that not all community stations are registered and among those that are registered, music usage reports is unreported.
Maphike adds that the consequences of this results in royalties not being paid to artists whose music is being used but unaccounted for.
In order to create a synergy between community radio stations and SAMRO, Maphike explains that they want to introduce community radio workshops to educate both artists and community radio practitioners on how to align their interests.
The fundamental question posed was, what happens when one finds out that a community radio station is not complaint with SAMRO and whether there is a grace period?
Maphike explains that annual financial statements are requested on a quarterly basis instead of yearly, and in turn, they then contact the radio station to further engage with them on reasons as to why they do not comply and then grant them a three-month grace period. Lastly, if procedures are not followed up and fixed, there is first warning and if the inquiry is not followed up on within 14 days, then a final notice is issued.
Edited by Bridget Lepere