Mozambique: Government revokes decree on media fees

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Mozambique: Government revokes decree on media fees

2:26 CAT | 21 May 2020

Photo: O País

The Council of Ministers this Wednesday revoked Decree 40/2018 of 23 July, which set fees and fines in the act of licensing of the media and accreditation of journalists in Mozambique, saying that there was space to deepen debate on the matter with media companies and professionals.

The revocation comes after the Constitutional Council declared the decree unconstitutional, on the grounds that it greatly increased the costs of the exercise of journalism.

“The revocation aims to create space to deepen and broaden reflections on the matter, with the involvement of media companies and professionals,” the Council of Ministers spokesman Filimão Suaze explained.

The decree laid down exorbitant costs for the exercise of journalistic activity in Mozambique, such as, for example, a fee of 500,000 meticais for journalists’ accreditation and its renewal.

The Council of Ministers also changed the designations of the Niassa, Gilé and Chimanimani National Reserves to ‘Parks’.

“Changing the category of these reserves brings with it a series of management changes, especially in securing revenue and attracting tourists,” Suaze noted.

Regarding the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 State of Emergency decree, the Council of Ministers spokesman expressed concern about lack of compliance, especially regarding the mandatory use of masks.

A resolution appointing former Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Higino de Marrule to the post of national coordinator of the Office of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact-Mozambique programme was also approved.

The Council of Ministers in yesterday’s session also considered the 2019 State General Account, to be submitted to the Assembly of the Republic (AR) and the Administrative Court for approval.

By Edson Arante

Source: O País