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ftm Radio Page - September 2, 2016

Broadcasters punished by vague rules and taxes
“bottlenecks”

It has been a rough several weeks for African media outlets. Radio broadcasters, in particular, have displeased officials, the consequence being forced silence. All too often reasons for the censure are vague and arbitrary.

The Liberian Ministry of Justice sent police officers to shut-down Lib24, owned by Sarafina Ventures, on charges the company was arrears on license and tax payments. Executives of Sarafina Ventures confirmed the obligations, reported allafrica.com (August 23), but protested the “government (creating) bottlenecks that prevented them from paying.” In July community station The Voice received a similar visit after a complaint by media regulator Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) for unauthorized use of an FM frequency. A station official said an agreement was in place with the authorized licensee but the regulator “set up a difficult process because we are critical of the government,” quoted by gnnliberia.com (August 8). (See more about media in Africa here)

Zambia’s media regulator Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) suspended the operating licenses of two radio stations and a TV station August 22nd for “professional misconduct.” Itezhi Tezhi Radio was allowed back on the air after a one-day suspension, according to Zambia Reports (August 30). Court appeals by Komboni Radio and Muvi TV were rejected (September 2) on procedural grounds.

Itezhi Tezhi Radio “admitted it had aired a program during which a guest was inciting violence,” said the IBA statement, quoted by allafrica.com (August 30). “The station further submitted that it was remorseful and appealed to the IBA to be lenient and consider lifting the suspension as it is the only source of information in the area.’’ The IBA had examined the broadcaster’s conduct “before, during and after the August 11th elections” finding it contrary to IBA law.

Itezhi Tezhi Radio is a community station serving the Namwala tribal area of Zambia’s Southern Provence. Komboni Radio is also a community station operating in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka since 2013. Muvi TV is considered Zambia’s most watched privately owned TV broadcaster.

Two Tanzanian radio stations were ordered to cease broadcasting by Information Minister Nape Nnauye, reported The Citizen (August 30). Radio Five and Magic FM allegedly broadcast “seditious content,” not otherwise described. Both the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemned the action against the broadcasters. "It is crystal clear that the government is trying to stop the flow of information and commentary," said CPJ East Africa representative Murithi Mutiga in a statement.

News channel bumps alt-music channel off FM
“What will I listen to?”

Some listeners to Polish public youth channel Radio 4 (Czwórke) were dismayed this week to find it replaced, as announced weeks ago, by news-talk channel Radio 24. Radio 4, bumped from FM frequencies, remains available online and DAB+ multiplexes. There’s also a smartphone app,. Indeed, Polskie Radio is negotiating with mobile operators for reductions in data plan fees, said Radio 4 director Hanna Dolegowska, quoted by wirtualnemedia.pl (September 2).

Social media fan pages were created during the week before the change-over to explain what’s going on with Radio 4. “What will I listen to in the car now?,” asked one commenting fan. Polskie Radio has also been broadcasting general announcements about various program and distribution changes across all its radio channels. Under various names, Radio 4 had been on FM for 40 years, recently with a strong cult following for alternative music.

Radio 24 is newer, launched in 2010 online, DAB+ following in 2013. With greater State control over Polskie Radio since late 2015 staff, programming and now distribution of the all-news channel has expanded measurably. Several Radio 4 show hosts have exited in recent months. (See more about media in Poland here)

Expanding Radio 24’s distribution to FM brings it in closer competition with TOK FM, principally owned by Agora Group. TOK FM has been on-the-air since 1997, first as a talk channel, more recently integrating national and regional news. In the January-June Millward Brown RadioTrack audience estimates TOK FM had a 1.9% market share, Radio 4 0.4%, Radio 24 unrated. An outdoor and television ad campaign is supporting the various changes at Radio 24.

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