(MISA/IFEX) – According to MISA, the Malawi government recently issued two radio licenses to new applicants, bringing to three the number of radio licenses issued to private operators during the past five months. This is despite the tabling of a Bill in Parliament next month which could see the introduction of an independent regulatory licensing […]
(MISA/IFEX) – According to MISA, the Malawi government recently issued two
radio licenses to new applicants, bringing to three the number of radio
licenses issued to
private operators during the past five months. This is despite the tabling
of a Bill in Parliament next month which could see the introduction of an
independent regulatory licensing authority.
The Malawi Media Women’s Association (MAMWA) has been given a license to
operate a community radio in the lakeshore district of Mangochi (in southern
Malawi). MAMWA Chair Patricia Thodi, said the community radio sponsored by
Unicef, will be operational by July this year and will cover issues on
women, girls and the environment. The other applicant, Oscar Thompson, the
son of health minister Harry Thompson, will operate a commercial radio. Five
months ago, the government gave a commercial broadcasting license to Alaudin
Osman, the presidential press officer. Osman’s Capital Radio and Thompson’s
FM 101 are both expected to begin broadcasting between June and July this
year.
The criteria for the issuing of these licenses is unknown and there is no
transparency in the process of applying for and the issuance of private
licenses. At present, the Malawi Posts and Telecoms (MPTC) is mandated to
issue radio licenses. Unsuccessful applicants charge that the MPTC has
simply ignored their applications, while favouring others. The MPTC has not
responded to these allegations.
The (state) Information Secretary, Beaton Munthali, says the issuing of
private licenses is in line with the policy of liberalisation of the
telecommunication sector and airwaves.
The government granted the first commercial license, to African Bible
College, some three years ago.
Parliament is expected to pass a new Communications Bill next month. The
Bill provides for the establishment of an independent regulatory body, to be
known as the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority. Munthali said when
the Bill becomes law, the new authority shall be responsible for the issuing
of licenses for radio, television and cellular telephones.
MISA has criticised the issuing of any broadcast licenses during a period
when Malawi is redrafting legislation to introduce an independent regulatory
body. “It simply continues the trend of government granting licenses at its
absolute discretion in a closed and secret way. There is no way of judging
whether these licenses have been fairly awarded, and why some applicants
fail while others succeed”, the Executive Director of MISA, Jeanette Minnie,
said this week.
