The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter has asked the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) to reverse its decision to revoke licence of Rainbow Television.
MACRA revoked Licence of Rainbow Television last week due to failure by the management to pay Licence fees.
But MISA Malawi Chairperson Teresa Ndanga has asked MACRA to consider reversing the decision.
“MISA Malawi finds the revocation disturbing considering that there had already been ongoing negotiations between the two parties. At the time of the announcement of the licence revocation, Rainbow Television had paid, in two instalments, almost half of the required amount. MACRA has therefore announced the revocation on the basis of the remaining amount.
“While MISA Malawi does not condone default on broadcasting licence fees, we find the revocation of Rainbow Television’s licence to be ill-timed and can easily be construed as an attempt by the government to silence critical voices. The issue of unpaid licence fees could have easily been resolved through mutual negotiations,” said Ndanga in the statement.
She added: “We advise media outlets in similar situation to engage the regulator before things get out of hand.
“The move by MACRA will deny Malawians access to relevant information at this critical time President Lazarus Chakwera and his administration are championing implementation of the Access to Information law. MACRA’s decision will put Rainbow Television workers out of jobs at a time the government says it is determined to create more and more jobs.”
MACRA is yet to comment on MISA Malawi’s plea.
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