SOUTHERN AFRICA MEDIA LANDSCAPE:
Malawi, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe
Profile compiled by
38 Harvey Brown Road, Milton Park, Harare
Zimbabwe
Contact: [email protected]
Tel: 00263 867 710 8362
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MALAWI Malawi is a landlocked country and former British colony. Malawi became
independent in 1964.
Population
16.8 million according to the Government of Malawi https://www.malawi.gov.mw/ Languages
English and Chichewa (Chichewa spoken by 75% of the population) are the two
officially recognized languages. Other local languages spoken are Lomwe 17%, Yao
20%, Ngoni, 11%, Tumbuka 9%, Nyanja 6%, Sena 4%, Tonga 2% as well as several
other languages.
Cities and towns
Capital City – Lilongwe
Commercial capital – Blantyre
Government
President: Peter Mutharika
Currency
Kwacha
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Administrative map of Malawi
Source: http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/malawi-administrative-map.htm
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Summary of Media ▪ Two (2) State owned radio stations
▪ Twenty-four (24) Community radio stations
▪ Ten (10) Privately owned radio stations with national reach
▪ Ten (10) Television stations
▪ One (1) Government news agency
▪ Thirteen (13) Privately owned newspapers with the Blantyre Newspapers Limited
and Nations Publications Limited owning five and four titles respectively under
each media house. The remaining four are community and religious
publications. The dailies are The Nation and The Daily Times.
Five (5) magazines, mostly religious (Source: www.osisa.org)
Broadcasting in Malawi
Types of licenses for broadcasting
1. Radio
a) Public national Sound Broadcaster (State/ government owned)
b) Private National Sound
c) Community radio (Split into National community of interest, regional
community of interest, geographical community sound)
2. Television
a) Public National Television (State/government owned)
b) Private National Television
c) Community Of Interest Television
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Radio Stations
Malawi has 78 registered broadcast media and 43 are operational. The operational
licensees as listed by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority are shown
below.
PRIVATE
Zodiac
Station
PUBLIC/STATE
COMMUNITY
Broadcasting Malawi
Broadcasting Radio Islam (Blantyre)
Corporation Radio 1
Capital Radio Malawi
Malawi
Broadcasting Dzimwe Community Radio
Corporation Radio 2
(Mangochi)
Galaxy Radio
Radio Maria (Mangochi)
FM 101 Power
CCAP Livingstonia
MIJ Radio
CCAP Blantyre
Yeneco FM
CCAP
Radio
Joy Radio Station
Seventh Day Adventist (
Blantyre)
Matindi Radio
Karonga Diocese
Good News
Limbe Muslim Jamat
Mwandama
Channel for all Nations
(Lilongwe)
Malawi
Institute
Journalism
Star FM
of Nkhoma
Living
Waters
(Blantyre)
Synod
radio
Pentecostal Life FM
5
Maziko Radio Station
Good News Broadcasting
System
Beyond FM
Transworld
(Lilongwe)
Radio Maria
Radio Alifane (Lilongwe)
Radio Tigabane (Mzuzu)
Nhotakota
Community
Radio Nhotakota
Mzimba Community Radio
(Mzimba)
Usiya Community Radio
(Nkhatabay)
Chancellor College Radio
(Zomba)
Umoyo FM (Mangochi)
Mzati FM (Mulanje)
Yoneco FM
Radio
Source: www.macra.org.mw 6
Television Stations
PRIVATE
PUBLIC
COMMUNITY
Luso TV
Malawi
Broadcasting Timveni Community TV
Corporation Television
Times TV
African Bible College TV
AFJ Television
Television
(Balaka)
Galaxy Television
CAN TV - Assemblies of
God
Multichoice Malawi (Dstv)
PRIVATE
PUBLIC
COMMUNITY
The Daily Times
Malawi News
(MANA) Malawi Times
The Sunday Times
The Weekend Times
The Business Times
The Nation
Weekend Nation
Fuko Nation
New Vision
Statesman Malawi News
Enquirer
UDF News
Weekly Chronicle
Luntha
Print
Agency 7
The Nation and the Daily Times are the largest circulating dailies
Fuko Nation is a bi-weekly, which targets at rural readership in the majority
Chichewa language
Regulation
State-Regulation MACRA
State controlled Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) regulates
the media in Malawi. The body was established in 1998 as spelt out in the
Communications Act. The body’s duties include superintending over the Communications Act (1998)
inclusive of: promoting open access to information, promoting efficiency and effective
competition in the communication sector. It also promotes technological use to meet
international standards as well as ensuring purchasers of information are not unfairly
charged. In addition, MACRA has a mandate to conduct research and produce
statistics on the industry, train and develop personnel and systems for industry
efficiency, receiving application, advising the Minister and subsequently approving or
rejecting telecommunications, license, frequency allocations
Media Council of Malawi (MCM)
This is Malawi’s self-regulatory body. Its Ethics, Complaints and Disciplinary
Committee oversees the formulation, maintaining and implementation of a code of
ethics for media organisations, journalists and media practitioners. The other duties
include receiving, adjudicating complaints from the media organisations, practitioners
and the public through mediation
Constitution (1994)
Section 35 allows every citizen the right to freedom of expression
Section 36 allows the press freedom of establishment and operation without any
hindrance as well as full access to information
Section 37 allows every citizen unhindered access to information held by the state.
Legislation
Printed Publications Act (1947) - outlines steps to be taken in licensing and
registering a newspaper and other printed publications
Communications Act (1998) - Empowers MACRA to receive applications, register
and give licenses to prospective media houses. MACRA, under the ACT can also
monitor and investigate media practices, engage in research and training and
uplifting industry standards. 8
Policies
ICT Policy (2013) – regulate the ICT industry. National Access to Information Policy (2014) - Promotes access to information in
Malawi
Malawi Digital Broadcasting Policy (2013-2018) - the policy seeks to guide Malawi
from analogue to digital broadcasting in line with specifications from International
Telecommunications Union. 9
NAMIBIA
General overview:
Population
2.3 million
Languages
English (official 7%) Afrikaans (lingua franca) and German are the official languages.
Other indigenous languages spoken include Setswana, Lozi, Oshiwambo, Otjiherero,
Rukwangali, Damara Literacy: 65% of total population
Capital City – Windhoek
Government
President: Hage Geingob
Currency
Namibian Dollar/ South African Rand
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Administrative map of Namibia
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Summary of the Media
● Ten (10) State owned radio stations ● Ten (10) Community radio stations ● Ten (10) Commercially-owned radio stations
● Two (2) Television stations ● Eleven (11) State-owned newspapers (Four dailies and seven weeklies)
● Six (6) privately owned newspapers (One privately owned five weeklies)
● Five (5) magazines Types of licensing for broadcasting
1. Radio
a) Urban community-based radio stations
b) Commercial radio stations
c) Rural community-based radio stations
2. Television
a) Commercial television stations.
b) Community-based television stations
Radio:
There are about 30 radio stations in Namibia. State owned
Commercial Community NBC !HA
Fresh FM
Base FM
NBC Afrikaans
Hitradio Namibia
Channel &
NBC Damara/Nama
Omulungs radio
E- FM
NBC German Radio 99
Karas NBC Lozi
Radio Cosmos Live FM NBC National
(English)
Service Radio Energy Namcol NBC Oshiwambo
Radio
International France Ohangwena NBC Otijiherero
Radio Kudu
Omaheke NBC Rukavango
Radio Wave
Oranjemund FM
NBCTirelo ya Setswana
West Coast FM
UNAM Radio
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Television:
There are two television stations in Namibia NBC TV and One Africa.
State owned Commercial NBC TV
One Africa Print Private Owned State Owned Community
The Namibian Allgermeine Zeitung Erongo
Confidente Die Republikein
Kundana
Namib Times New Era
The Villager
Namibian Sun Windhoek Observer
Kundana Namibia Economist
Southern Times Informante Windhoek Express
Regulations
State-regulation Namibia Communications Commission 1992
The commission has the mandate to issue broadcasting licenses and to supervise
broadcasting services and programme content. Namibia Film Commission (2000)
Regulates the film industry to prevent the production of material that threatens
national security.
Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN)
Regulates telecommunication services and networks, broadcasting services, postal
services and the use and allocation of radio spectrum.
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Constitution (1990)
Chapter 3
Article 21 (1) (a) guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of expression which
include freedom of the press and other media Article (21) (2) imposes reasonable internal limitations on freedom of expression.
Legislation The Communications Act of 2009
The ‘Spy Bill’ continues to threaten freedom of expression as it allows interception of
communications as well as Apartheid era laws such as the Official Secrets Act, and
the Criminal Act.
The Public Service Act of 1995
The Act restricts public servants from disclosing information that should in fact be
available to Namibians.
The Protection of Information Act
It sets out a number of provisions relating to the disclosure of security related
information. The Radio Act (1952)
Licenses radio stations and allocates radio frequencies 14
BOTSWANA
Botswana is a former British protectorate which gained Independence in 1966.
Population 2,313,100 according to the Government of Botswana
Source: www.gov.bw
Languages English is the official language .Setswana is spoken by the majority (78.2%) of the
population, Kalanga-7.9%, Sekgalagadi (3.4%), Shona (2%),Mbukushu (1.6%) and
Ndebele (1%). 1.7% speak Tshwa (a Khoe language) and 0.1% speak !Xóõ, a Tuu
language (both non-Bantu). A further 2.8% also speak English, the official language
as their first language. A small number are conversant in Afrikaans.
Source- http://www.studycountry.com/guide/BW-language.htm
Cities and Towns
Capital City: Gaborone
Second City: Francistown
Government
President: Ian Khama
Currency Pula
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Administrative map of Botswana
Source:http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/botswana-map.htm
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Summary of Media
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Two (2) government owned radio stations.
Four (4) privately owned radio stations with national reach and live streaming
One (1) government owned television station
Two (2) privately owned television station
Thirteen (13) privately owned newspapers
One (1) government owned newspaper issued for free
One (1) government owned news agency
Broadcasting in Botswana
Types of licenses for broadcasting
1.Radio
a) Public National Sound (for government owned stations)
b) National Private Sound (for commercial stations)
c) Citizen Band Radio License
(d) Private Radio Communication License
2.Television a) Public National Television (for government-owned stations)
b) Private National Television (for private-owned stations)
c) Satellite Service License Radio Stations
Botswana has six (6) registered radio stations, four are regulated except for two
which are state-owned. The operational licensees as approved by the Botswana
Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) are listed below.
PRIVATE
PUBLIC
COMMUNITY
Yarona FM
Radio Botswana 1 (RB1)
Duma
Radio Botswana 2 (RB2)
Gabz FM
Voice of America
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Television
Botswana has three television stations. Only one, the private station is regulated by
BOCRA. The list of licensees is shown below:
PRIVATE
PUBLIC
eBotswana
Botswana
(BTV)
Multichoice
(DStv)
Botswana COMMUNITY
Television Source: www.bocra.org.bw
Print
PRIVATE
PUBLIC
COMMUNITY
Mmegi
Daily News
The Voice
Botswana Press Agency (BOPA)
Sunday Standard Echo
The Botswana Gazette
Botswana Guardian
Midweek Sun
Monitor
Ngami Times
The Mirror
Sunday Tribune
Global Post
Weekend Post
Telegraph
The state-owned Daily News has the widest circulation as well as the widest rural
reach. Source: https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2013/botswana
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Regulation
State Regulation
BOCRA
State controlled Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) regulates
broadcasting in Botswana as spelt out in the Communications Regulatory Act (CRA)
of 2012.
MEDIA COUNCIL OF BOTSWANA
The Media Council is a creation of the Media Practitioners Act (MPA) of 2008. It is
the sole accreditation authority for all media workers and journalists, media houses
(mainly print) as well as handling complaints.
Self-Regulation
PRESS COUNCIL OF BOTSWANA
The media in Botswana also practices industry led self-regulation through the Press
Council of Botswana found in 2002. The Council seeks to enforce a code of ethics
and professional standards among practitioners by handling complaints through
mediation dispute resolution.
Constitution (1966)
The National Constitution (1966) does not explicitly guarantee freedom of the media
but safeguards freedoms of expression and speech.
Section 3
Guarantees the protection of fundamental human rights with access to information
also included
Section 12
Upholds freedom of expression, speech and access to information but limits these
rights to preserve national security and public order. Legislation
Media Practitioners Act (MPA) 2008
The media is generally regulated by the state through the Media Practitioners Act of
2008 which provides for the establishment of a Media Council.
Communications Regulatory Act 2012 The act provides for the establishment of the Botswana Communications Regulatory
Authority whose mandate is to license broadcasters, allocate frequencies and uphold
a 60% local content quota in broadcasts
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Broadcasting Act of 1998
The Act allows for the licensing of community radio stations but up to now there are
no licensed or unlicensed community radio stations.
Policies
Licensing Framework for Commercial Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting (2012)
Seeks to guide BOCRA on how to best license and operationalise the switch from
terrestrial to digital broadcasting Vision 2016
Guarantees the freedom of information and communication
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ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe is a landlocked former British colony which gained independence in 1980
Population
13.72 million according tothe 2012 National Census
Languages
Zimbabwe has 16 official languages as recognised by the 2013 National
Constitution. These are: Chichewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya,
Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, Sign Language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda
and Xhosa. Of these the most dominant are Shona (70%), Ndebele. (20%) whilst English is still
regarded as the main official business language. Other languages account for the
remainder.
Cities and Towns
Capital City- Harare
Second City- Bulawayo
Government
President: Robert Mugabe
Currency
Zimbabwe currently has multi-currency basket headlined by the US Dollar as well as
other currencies like South Africa Rand, Botswana Pula, British Pound and the
Chinese Yen.
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Administrative Map of Zimbabwe
Source :http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/zimbabwe_map2.htm
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Summary of Media
Four (4) state owned radio stations
Two (2) privately owned National commercial radio stations Eight (8) privately-owned local commercial radio stations with provincial reach
Twenty (20) community radio initiatives spread around the country
One (1) state owned television station
One (1) privately-owned regional satellite television station
Eleven (11) government owned newspapers Source:
http://www.herald.co.zw/about-zimpapers/
● One (1) government owned news agency
● Fourteen (10) privately owned newspapers (two dailies and twelve weeklies) ● Eight (8) government news agency owned provincial newspapers
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N.B. More newspaper titles have been registered in Zimbabwe but have failed to
sustain their operations
Broadcasting in Zimbabwe
Types of Radio Licenses
Radio
a) Public broadcasting service (government/ state owned)
b) Commercial broadcasting service (private owned)
c) Community broadcasting service (though yet to be licensed)
d) Webcasting
e) Rail casting service
f) Road casting service
Television
a) Public broadcasting service (government/state owned)
b) Subscription cable broadcasting service
c) Subscription satellite broadcasting service
d) Subscription narrowcasting service
e) Open narrowcasting service
f) Datacasting service
g) Webcasting
h) Video on demand service
i) Content distribution service Source : http://www.baz.co.zw/index.php/features/licence-classes
Radio Stations
Zimbabwe has 14 licensed radio stations and 20 community radio initiatives that are
yet to be licensed. These stations are listed below. Ownership Patterns
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Radio
PRIVATE
PUBLIC
COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
ZiFM
Power FM
Berina FM
Star FM
National FM
Bubja
Ya FM
Spot FM
Bulawayo
Broadcasting
Diamond FM
Radio Zimbabwe
Community Radio of Radio
Breeze
Getjenge FM
98.4 Midlands
Hwange FM
Hevoi FM
Kumakomo
Skyz Metro
Kwelaz FM
Capitalk Radio
Mabhikwa
NyamiNyami FM
Muzinyathi
Youth
Nkabazwe
Nkayi FM
Ntepe Community Radio
Patsaka-Nyaminyami
Radio Chiedza
Radio Dialogue
Twasumpuka
VeMuganga
Wezhira
Zhowane
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Television
Two stations are registered to operate in Zimbabwe as listed below
PRIVATE
PUBLIC
Multi Choice Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation TV (ZBC
(DStv)
TV)
Print PRIVATE
PUBLIC
COMMUNITY
(provincial)
NewsDay
The Herald
Ilanga
The Standard
Chronicle
Pungwe News
Financial Gazette
The Sunday Mail
Chaminuka News
Daily News
Manica Post
The Times
Tell Zimbabwe
Sunday News
Masvingo Star
Zimbabwe Independent
Kwayedza
Indosankusa
Masvingo Mirror
B-Metro
Mashonaland West
Telegraph
Daily News on Sunday
H-Metro
Nehanda Guardian
The Sun
Kwayedza
Midlands Observer
The Suburban
The Patriot
Southern Times
The People’s Voice
Harare News
Business Connect
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Regulation
Zimbabwe operates in a mixed zone of State and industry led Self-Regulation.
State Regulation
Zimbabwe Media Commission
ZMC is a constitutional body which administers the Access to Information and
Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). It has the mandate to receive and process license
applications from media houses. It is also tasked with accrediting journalists as well
as enforcing good journalistic practices and ethics in the media. Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ)
BAZ is a commission created by the 2001 Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) to
regulate the airwaves in Zimbabwe. Its mandate includes; issuing of broadcasting
licenses and frequencies, developing best practices for the broadcast media and
protecting children from harmful broadcast content, promoting fair and accurate
coverage as well as encouraging diversity in control of broadcasting services in
Zimbabwe.
Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ)
POTRAZ is the regulator for post and telecommunications which includes internet
usage and social media in Zimbabwe. It also regulates the operations of mobile
network operators as well as Internet Service Providers (ISP)’s, stipulates rates to be
charged by MNO’s and ISP’s to ensure competitiveness and avoid price collusion.
The authority also works to ensure the expansion of postal and telecommunication
services in Zimbabwe to include the rural poor and marginalised communities
Board of Censors The board is created under the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act (1967)
and is responsible for administering the approval and rejection of media content as
stipulated under the Act
Self-Regulation
Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ)
Media organisations form the core membership of the body which seeks to ensure
that journalists uphold media ethics, ensure fair and accurate coverage and as well
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as promoting media independence, freedom of expression, research on trends in the
sector, capacity building and training.
Constitution 2013
Section 248
Establishes the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) as a media regulatory body. Section 249 Spells out the mandate of the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) whose brief is to
supervise and oversee the country’s media sector. Its duties include licensing of
newspapers and registration of media practitioners, advising the Minister of
Information as well as researching and advocating for the best practices in the
media.
Section 61
Provides for freedom of expression and the media. It also guarantees editorial
independence at state-controlled institutions. Section 62
Every Zimbabwean citizen has the right to access information held by the State
without hindrance. Additionally, every citizen has the right to have information
corrected as well as deletion of untrue and erroneous information
Legislation
Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) 2002
AIPPA seeks to give parameters on how citizens and the media access information
held by public bodies, state regulation of the media through ZMC as per the act’s
amendment in 2008. The act also seeks to license media houses and journalists for
accreditation.
Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) 2001
The act regulates the broadcasting media through the Broadcasting Authority of
Zimbabwe (BAZ) which oversees licensing, registration, frequency allocation and
spectrum fees for broadcasters in the country
Public Order Security Act (POSA) 2002
The law regulates the media from publishing information which is harmful and
prejudicial to the government as well as inciting public violence and disorder.
Interception of Communications Act (ICA) 2007
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Regulates telecommunications, postal and electronic web based communications
through monitoring of web and internet communications in the interests of preventing
crime and terrorist activities.
Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act 2004
The law criminalises defamation by the media but has since been declared
unconstitutional. Civil defamation still applies under the law and the media can be
sued by aggrieved parties
Censorship and Entertainment Control Act (1967)
Regulates the content published by the media to prevent pornographic content and
other inflammatory images and language in films (both local and foreign), adverts
and public entertainment.
Computer Crimes and Cyber Bill (CCCB) (2016)
Yet to be passed into law, the bill seeks to regulate usage of social media as well as
ensuring that e-commerce transactions are above board and within the confines of
the law. The bill seeks to penalise use of online media in illegal activities.
Policies
Digital Broadcasting Migration 2015
The policy will guide Zimbabwe in the switchover from analogue to digital
broadcasting and is currently being implemented
Cyber Security Policy
Still at proposal stage, Government is currently pushing for several bills to regulate
use of social media, e-commerce and digital security
Independent Media Panel of Inquiry (IMPI) 2014
The commission sought to understand the challenges and complexities in the
Zimbabwean media landscape and proffer lasting solutions. Its recommendations
are yet to be published and implemented. CONCLUSION
The media landscape in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia and Botswana is an interesting
arena which has the following stand out pointers
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State Ownership Electronic media- television and radio are mostly operated on a public level. In
Zimbabwe there is the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Malawi has Malawi
Broadcasting Corporation, Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and Botswana
has Botswana Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). All these models reflect the colonial
past of the nations as they are modeled along the lines of the British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC)
English Language
Is the commonly used language in all the four countries in the media. It reflects on a
high level of literacy in the citizens.
Digital satellite television
In all the countries there is a common pattern of digital satellite television. It shows
that there is a huge market for digital satellite services such as music, infotainment
as well as sports and news.
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