Community Radios Forum applauds repeal of ‘exorbitant’ media licence fees – Mozambique

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Community Radios Forum applauds repeal of ‘exorbitant’ media licence fees – Mozambique

9:02 CAT | 21 May 2020

in file CoM

Mozambique’s Community Radios Forum (FORCOM) applauded the government’s decision to repeal a decree imposing annual licence fees considered exorbitant for the operation of the media.

“FORCOM received with great satisfaction the decision taken by the Government,” it said in a statement released on Wednesday.

The law meant a major setback for the media, particularly for community radios which were in danger of disappearing because they could not pay the fees.

Community radios are not income generators and respond to the specific development needs of the communities they serve.

They are the voice of the community and encourage the participation of all in the political and democratic process, FORCOM said.

Decree 40/2018 of 23 July required community radio stations to pay an annual license of 30,000 meticais (€397).

According to the same law, television stations with national coverage had to pay 3 million meticais (€40,000) for licensing and radios 2 million meticais (26,000).

In the case of accreditation of journalists, the fees were between 500,000 meticais (€6,613) for the annual accreditation of foreign journalists and 30,000 meticais (€397) per year for the accreditation of national freelancers.

The decree took the sector by surprise, considering that fundamental freedoms and rights were at stake and classifying the law as unconstitutional.

The challenge that brought together the media and civil society led the Information Office (GABINFO) of Mozambique, a state agency, to announce that – despite publication – the application of the new fees would be conditional on the approval of regulation and discussion of the issue by a committee to be formed.

The Mozambican government announced on Wednesday the revocation, to create space for deepening and widening reflection on the matter, with communication companies and staff.

Source: Lusa