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IFEX- News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - MALAWI

12 May 1998

Malawi government issues two more radio licenses

SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek

(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.

For further information, contact Bright Mwape at MISA, Street
Address; 21 Johann Albrecht Street, Mailing Address;  Private Bag
13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232975, fax: +264 61 248016,
e-mail: bright@ingrid.misa.org.na, research@ingrid.misa.org.na,
Internet: http://www.misanet.org/.

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility
of MISA. In citing this material for broadcast or publication,
please credit MISA.
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