made the pledge when he visited MultiChoice Tanzania-DStv's offices in Dar es salaam yesterday, aiming at getting information on how the firm operates in promoting arts, particularly the film industry, in the country.
The visit saw the minister being accompanied by Director of Arts Development in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Emmanuel Ishengoma, and Tanzania Film Board's Executive Secretary, Kiagho Kilonzo.
Speaking to MultiChoice Tanzania employees and a section of the domestic film industry's members, Bashungwa congratulated the firm and a section of film producers.
The minister praised MultiChoice Tanzania via the DStv channels for promoting the film industry.
Bashungwa stated the decision by DStv to have a special channel for promoting Tanzanian content– Maisha Magic Bongo- is a sure sign the firm is keen on promoting local content.
He disclosed the government is ready to cooperate with the industry's stakeholders so the profession can turn into an important means for offering employment and developing economy.
Bashungwa strongly condemned content piracy, pointing out he will communicate with other authorities and department to see to it the issue is duly dealt with.
The minister asked the Copyright Society of Tanzania (COSOTA) to see to it the institution steps up efforts to deal with content piracy.
Bashungwa went on to insist all people found guilty of involvement in content piracy should be seriously dealt with.
MultiChoice Tanzania's Managing Director (MD), Jacqueline Woiso, expressed the firm's regards to the ministry for cooperating with the firm.
According to the MultiChoice Tanzania MD, the decision by Bashungwa to visit the firm is a sure sign the government acknowledges the private sector's contribution in the information sector's development.
Jacqueline assured the minister and Tanzanians DStv will continue improving Tanzania's content in the firm's channels, while seeing to it the firm keeps on contributing to seeing to it the local content has an international appeal and flourish in the content market.
Domestic film producers told Bashungwa following DStv's policy which focuses on investing in the domestic film industry, the sector has improved tremendously.
The producers pointed out they can now come up with the best films which can competently make their presence felt internationally.
A prominent film producer, Lea Mwendamseke, who is taking charge of production of a well-known Swahili film 'Jua Kali', disclosed the decision by DStv to give domestic film producers an opportunity to sell their works to the company's channel, Maisha Magic Bongo, has boosted their production scope in an effort to meet the requirements.
Lea further disclosed the productions which are shown on the channel for a long time has offered employment opportunity and income to hundreds of local actors, actresses and the rest of the members involved in the domestic film industry.
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