The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has introduced a new broadcasting license strictly for special events like festivals, sports and church crusades, among other special events, but however the Authority coverage of political events.

Making the announcement during a media briefing, the Authority’s Corporate Communications Manager Clara Mwafulirwa-Ngwira said anyone will be allowed to have the license at a fee of K2500. “As you are aware we have new regulations for the communication sector. And broadcasting regulations are part of those communication regulations. One interesting aspect in these regulations is the license on Special Event. From June (2020), anyone will be allowed to get this type of license after paying K2500.”

The development happens weeks after Macra’s completion of a sensitisation campaign on the newly gazetted broadcasting regulations which, among others, require all broadcasters to use a profanity delay machine during live programs.

Macra now draws its mandate from the Communications Act of 2016 to regulate and monitor the provision of communications services and ensure that, as far as it is practicable, reliable and affordable communications services are provided throughout Malawi.