The Media Institute for Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter has described the continued revocation of licences for broadcasters by the Malawi Regulatory Authority (Macra) as a threat to the broadcasting and democratic gains of the country.

Since June 2022, Macra has been revoking licences of some broadcasting stations in the country over delays to pay annual license fees, a development that has seen three television stations and six radio stations being closed.

Issued the notices: Macra Director General Daud Suleman

In a press release issued on Wednesday August 24, 2022, Misa-Malawi said the continued revocation of licences under the current political administration is washing away the media and democratic gains of the past 29 years.

Reads the statement in part: “We cannot underestimate the impact of these revocations on access to information for Malawians, media freedom and the economic well-being of those people losing their jobs in the closed stations.

“Misa-Malawi therefore, reiterates its recommendation for a win-win solution for Macra, broadcasters and citizens. We would like to ask Macra, again to reverse the decisions being made as they are not only retrogressive but are systematically killing the democracy that we have struggled to grow.” According to the statement, licences for 23 radio stations and six television stations risk being revoked by the end of this year based on notices from Macra.

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