Malawi Communications Law Now Responds To New Developments

Kaliati: this will lead to communication improvement 

The National Assembly on Tuesday has repealed Communications Act of 1998 and replaced it with Bill No. 24 of 2015: Communications which responds to vast changes, upgrades and development in the Communications Sector which rendered the repealed law somehow irrelevant.

New bill has been passed after several consultations and lengthy scrutiny by the Committee on Media, Information and Communications, in which the bill was referred to following its debate in the House on March 1, 2016 after it was brought by the Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Civic Education.  

Malawians Now Protected On Electronic Transactions, Cyber Crimes

Government says passing of the Electronic Transaction Bill into law by the National Assembly on Monday, will open up the E-Commerce businesses in the country and protect people from various forms of harassment on internet.

Malawi National Assembly on Monday evening passed the bill with new title “Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act 2015.”

The bill seeks to enable to people to transact various services electronically with full protection of the law and also ensure that people are protected from computer related harassments like viruses, hacks and all cyber crimes.

Parliamentary Committee Urges House To Pass ATI, Communications Bill

Also Remove Custom Duty On Broadcasting, Telecommunication Equipment

Samuel Kawale

The Malawi Parliamentary Committee on Media, Information and Communications has urged the House to pass Access to Information bill and remove some Customs Duty on media and telecommunications equipments as way of promoting transparency and accountability in the public service and sustainable growth of the media, information and communications industry. 

The call was made in the House on Wednesday evening following findings on the Committee’s visit to various Media Houses and mobile operators in the Country from 7th to 11th September 2015.

Presenting the report, Chairperson for the Committee, Hon. Samuel Kawale noted that both media houses and the mobile operator’s wants Access to Information Bill and Communications Bill passed into laws by the National Assembly when they are presented in the House. 

On this, the committee has recommended that Government has to consider speed up the process of presenting all the relevant Bills to be passed into laws noting that such new laws will promote transparency and accountability in the public service and also fill the existing gaps by the continuous use of outdated legislation.

On Customs and Duty, the committee’s report noted that both media houses and mobile operators requested for the removal of Customs Duty because rates of Customs Duty on equipment are high. And pacifically on the broadcasting equipment, the committee said the rates makes dissemination of information to the general public more expensive. 

“Your Committee recommends that the Government should consider revise downwards Customs Duty Rates on Broadcasting and telephone equipment to promote the sustainable growth of the media, information and communications industry.” Said Hon. Samuel Kawale adding that mobile operators are also complaining of vandalism of the telephone equipments by the general public which are slowing down the development progress of the industry

The Report noted with appreciation that both media and mobile operators have made substantial investments throughout the country in modern technology to provide quality services to all Malawians. 

Hon Kawale said his Committee was very impressed with the infrastructural and technological developments that most private media houses are putting in place, investing a lot of money in modern equipment for both radio and television stations. 

"You may wish to note that some media houses plan to go into multiple channel broadcasting and others have already been invited to broadcast on DSTV." He informed the House noting that the media houses are also playing important role in socio economic development because they are employing a lot of people throughout the country with their wide spread in all districts of the country

The committee also commended the mobile sector for playing crucial role not only on talk service but also on internet services, mobile money as well as providing employment and being one of the biggest tax payers in the country.

But the committee has encouraged all media houses and mobile operators in the country to adopt and adapt to new technologies “all the time” in order to survive in the international media market competition. 

Speaking of visit to Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) the committee noted that Cyber Security is the main issue in the ICT world today and as such, the Electronic Transaction bill is intended to curb such cybercrimes. But the committee has encouraged MACRA as regulator to continue being accountable and transparent to the General public in carrying out its duties so as to promote further growth of the Media, Information and Communications industry.

During the visit, however, the committee was not impressed with the state of infrastructure and equipment at the state broadcaster, the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) as the station has old equipment requiring replacement. The committee has recommended Government to inject adequate resources to MBC for renovation of infrastructure and procurement of modern broadcasting equipment.

Objective of the visit was to appreciate success and challenges in the media, information and communications industry; particularly to appreciate the state of infrastructure, progress being made on some projects that fall within the mandate of the committee and to appreciate the success and challenges of the MACRA.

The committee visited a total of four radio stations, televisions and print media houses namely; Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Blantyre News Papers Limited (The Times Group), Nation Publications Limited, and MBC. On telephone companies were; Telokom Netowks Limited, and Malawi Telecommunications Limited, Multi-Choice Malawi Limited and the MACRA were also visited

BMC, Parliament Want ATI Bill Enactment In the Upcoming Meeting

Chakwera (middle)

Leader of Opposition in Parliament, and Media, Information and Communications Committee of Parliament says will lobby for enactment of the much waited Access to Information Bill (ATI) during upcoming meeting of Parliament.

Members of the Bwaila Media Club (BMC), on Wednesday had an audience with Leader of Opposition Hon. Lazarus Chakwera, sought his support in pushing for the tabling of the bill and objectively pass it amid delay ‘tactics’ from Government to take the bill to the upcoming Meeting of Parliament.

Few weeks ago in Salima, President Peter Mutharika promised to take the bill to the First Meeting of the 46th Session of Parliament which begins this Friday saying all the processes were finalized. This pronouncement was reiterated by Minister of Information Jappie Mhango during the recent meeting of some Cabinet Ministers and Members of Civil Society in Lilongwe.

However, the promises are unlikely to be met now as Leader of House in the National Assembly, Francis Kasaila disclosed to Journalist on Monday in Lilongwe that the bill still awaits final inspection by Cabinet. He said it is not on the list of the business for the next Meeting of National Assembly.

Hon Samuel Kawale and Chakwera

Chakwera shared BMC concern over the delays by Government to take the bill to parliament and promised to “Seriously” take the responsibility of encouraging all members from his party and others in opposition on how they can help push for the tabling of the bill.

“I would say that am with you” he said, “The message you brought has been received and warmly so. And that if Lord willing we should even incorporate your concerns in some of things that we say”

The Opposition leader also underscored that Access to Information Bill is very important.

He said the bill empowers people to have information that is needed in order for them to appreciate what their own government is doing. And that with comprehensive view of what is happening they are able to make informed decisions.

“Let information that the public needs to have be made available. Not just on demand… but when such is needed however, there should be a backing of the law that says you have that right to access that information.” said Chakwera

“We are with you.” He affirmed “I am particularly would love for the information to be available to anyone because issues of accountability and transparency are important to us all” added the opposition leader with emphasis that information is critical in an age “like ours”

Hon Samuel Kawale

In his remarks Chairperson for the Media, Information and Communications Committee of Parliament, Samuel Kawale, said was “disappointed and discouraged” to learn that Government is keeping on delaying the bill which has stalled for so many years.

“If there were issues that needed to be addressed they should have been brought earlier on, so that we sit down again, talk over them and make sure that all the grey areas are sorted out” he said

“As Committee, our major task from now on, is to work alongside with media houses and other stakeholders to lobby government to make sure that this bill is tabled in parliament and passed into law” assured Kawale

Meanwhile, leader of the Bwaila Media Club delegation, Steve Chilundu has expressed his profound gratitude for the promising remarks from the Leader of Opposition Lazarus Chakwera and the Chairperson for the Media, Information and Communications of Parliament.

Chilundu said BMC will continue to meet with various stakeholders to ask them lobby government to table and pass the Access to Information Bill during the Meeting of National Assembly which begins this week.

Bwaila Media Club has also issued a statement expressing concern over, government recent ambiguity and dilly dallying in its commitment to table and pass the bill.