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THE MALAWI GOVERNMENT GAZETTE
{Published by Authority)
3,360: Vol. LIII No. 48] Zomba, 21th October, 2016

Registered at the GP.O. as a Newspaper Price: K500.00

CONTENTS Page
MACRA—Notice of Publication of warning to Pentecostal
Life FM................................................................................ 223

Malawi Electoral Commission—Notice of Taking a Poll .. 224-225

General Notice No. 82

MACRA

MALAWI COMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY AUTHORITY

PUBLICATION OF WARNING TO PENTECOSTAL LIFE FM FOR BREACH OF LICENCE TERMS
AND CONDITIONS AND THE COMMUNICATIONS ACT.

1. In the month of April 2016, Pentecostal Life FM broadcast a series of radio programs called “Ndilibe Pulobulemu”
which satirized, ridiculed and defamed or disparaged the characters of several public figures. The programme, by way
of innuendo alleged immoral acts on the part of some of the public figures mentioned in the programme.

2. Pentecostal Life FM’s broadcasting licence requires the Radio to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Broadcasting
Services contained in the Third Schedule to the Communications Act. Section 4 of the Code of Conduct allows
broadcasters to comment on and criticize any actions of public importance. There is however a caveat that a comment
must be an honest expression of opinion.

3. The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (the Authority) has found that the broadcasts by Pentecostal Life
FM were not honest expressions of opinion but were made merely to disparage, ridicule and assassinate the characters
of the public figures. This amounted to a breach by Pentecostal Life FM of its obligations under its broadcasting licence
and the Communications Act.

4. Pursuant to Section 23 of the Broadcasting Licence issued to Pentecostal FM and pursuant to section 54(5):of the
Communications Act Pentecostal Life FM is hereby issued a warning in regard to its conduct and ordered to desist from
non compliance with its licence and the Communications Act. Any further breach of its licence terms and condition and
of the Communications Act may lead to imposition of a fine or revocation of licence.

Dated 12th September 2016.
THE DIRECTOR GENERAL
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority
MACRA House
Salmin Armour Road
Private Bag 261
Blantyre
Malawi