Musicians Union of Malawi (MUM) has emphasised on the need to strike a balance in studio pricing, saying producers must be fairly compensated for their work while ensuring that musicians are not priced out of their own industry.
The call follows debate over a K1 million standard studio production fee earlier this year and a clarification from the Producers and Audio Engineering Association of Malawi (PAEAM) that it has not fixed any production fee.
MUM President, Vita Chirwa, said in an interview on Thursday that the issue presented an opportunity for the industry to reflect and re-calibrate on fair dealings.
“There is need for clearer industry guidelines. There is also need for more open dialogue between musicians and producers to ensure mutual understanding and fairness, rather than a one-sided pricing structure,” Chirwa said.
He added that a sustainable music ecosystem must be inclusive, fair, and supportive of both established and upcoming talent.
Chirwa disclosed the union’s ongoing initiatives aimed at protecting its members from exploitation.
“These include awareness campaigns on contractual rights, capacity building, and the promotion of best practices in music business dealings. We are also working towards strengthening frameworks that will guide fair compensation and professional conduct within the industry,” he added.
PAEAM Communications Director, Mphatso Chikalipo, distanced the association from a communication about a K1 million production fee that circulated earlier this year, noting the figure was derived from a post made before PAEAM’s formal establishment and does not represent an official position or current practice.
“All producers and studios remain independent in determining their fees based on their business models, expertise, professional capabilities and market conditions,” he said.
Chikalipo emphasised that PAEAM has not officially set or mandated any standard pricing for music production services.
The Competition and Fair Trading Act prohibits associations from fixing prices as this amounts to anti-competitive conduct.
Both sides say discussions on production fees remain part of ongoing industry dialogue aimed at promoting the value of music production, not fixing prices.
A press release dated January 30, 2026, signed by PAEAM President Percy Manyozo, sparked public debate after it indicated that effective February 1, 2026, the recommended rate for a standard session would be K1 million.
