MACRA shuts down Joy Radio

According to a communication hand-delivered by a senior MACRA official to the offices of the radio, the broadcaster has been breaching the Communications Act by transferring ownership of the radio into the hands of a politician.

Former President Bakili Muluzi owns the radio and according to Section 44 of the Act, no politician or political party shall be given a broadcasting license to operate a radio station.

“Initially, when the radio was issued with a broadcasting license it was owned by different people but by and by the ownership started shifting and ended up into the hands of politicians,” said acting director general of MACRA, James Chimera.

Chimera who is a former broadcaster himself said they had been constantly warning the radio but it never took heed.

However, Joy Radio management co-ordinator, Joseph Chapuma said they had been complying with directives to change some things, which MACRA ordered them to improve on.

“For four weeks now we have not been broadcasting programmes that were viewed politically biased following their directive, but MACRA has nonetheless decided to revoke our license,” he said.

The radio, which went off air at exactly 6pm on Friday, says it has engaged its lawyers to challenge the decision by MACRA.

The relationship between MACRA and Joy radio has been sour for sometime now. Early this year the regulatory body also shutdown Joy Television for operating without proper legislation.