Gerald Kampanikiza, News Reporter
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has ordered Angaliba Television and Radio Stations to cease broadcasting within 24 hours from 14 June, 2022 due to failure to pay outstanding licence fees.
In a statement signed by MACRA’s Director General Daud Suleiman, dated June 15th, 2022 MACRA has directed that Angaliba should refrain from further broadcasting until the issue of outstanding licence fees is resolved and a determination is made by MACRA on the matter.
“In 2021, MACRA renewed Angaliba’s Television and Radio licences subject to Angaliba paying MACRA outstanding licence fees, and the Licensee was given a deadline of 11th January, 2022 to pay the fees,” Suleiman said through the statement.
He added that MACRA also directed Angaliba to be off air until the fees were fully paid to have its licences renewed unconditionally and Angaliba made some payments towards the outstanding fees but disputed the amount owing to MACRA.
“While reconciliation between MACRA and Angaliba were underway to ascertain the exact amount due to MACRA, Angaliba resumed its transmission, contrary to MACRA’s directive,” he said.
