Malawi minister directs regulator to award Joy TV licence
The Minister of Information, Moses Kunkuyu has directed Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) to give Television Licence to Joy Television Limited which was revoked in 2007.
Kunkuyu said this on Friday during his familiarisation tour to Joy Radio Fm station which is located in Naperi, commercial city of Blantyre.
He said broadcasting plays a very big role in the country in ensuring that people are being informed in order to make the right decisions in their lives.
Kunkuyu said his ministry thought it wise that Joy TV should re-start its transmission after MACRA agreed that the station has gone through all necessary procedures.
“I came here at Joy Radio to appreciate good work which the radio is doing. This is in line with the Ministry of Information vision of ensuring that people are being informed, entertained and educated.“Joy Radio having gone through all the necessary processes, I feel it is the right time for them to be given a TV license which will transform Joy Radio’s broadcasting performance.
“Joy TV Radio Officials agreed earlier that they indeed jumped some steps when they acquired TV licence some years ago hence its closure by then,” said Kunkuyu.
Kunkuyu asked Joy Radio and TV management to be professional in their broadcasting, saying the opening of Joy TV will add competition with other already existing Televisions.
He appealed to Joy TV officials to procure good equipment which suits government plans of digital migration, adding that in future government will not allow TV to produce poor pictures.
Joy Radio Station Manager, Lloyd Zawanda was happy when the minister announced the re-awarding of licence.
Zawanda said the management of Joy Radio is excited with the news, saying they will roll out TV transmission by December this year.
“Joy TV will roll out by December this year because we want to buy digital equipments which can suit government plans, otherwise we could have rolled out even next week,” said Zawanda.
He appealed to the Minister to ask the authorities in government so that they can start getting adverts from government, saying for quite a long time Joy Radio has been sidelined when it comes to government adverts.
Joy Radio started its transmission on 4th May, 2004 and currently has 48 employees in all regions of the country.
However, in 2007, government through MACRA removed Joy TV broadcasting equipment from Mpingwe Hill; a few months after the TV went live, claiming that the operator has no license contrary to Joy TV management views saying the Radio license had an extension that also allowed them to roll out a TV.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
