By Wanangwa Tembo
Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Shadric Namalomba, has urged the media, particularly radio stations, to embrace their role as agents of hope by providing information that stimulates constructive dialogue on national development.
Namalomba made the call on Tuesday in Kasungu when he presided over the launch of Linga FM, a national private radio station based in Lilongwe and owned by former Kasungu West legislator, Alex Major.
He described the establishment of the station as historical for Malawi’s media landscape, noting that radio remains the most accessible and influential platform for amplifying the voices of the marginalised.
“Government has a massive plan to devolve resources to districts. We are talking about the K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF), K100 million loans for youths and K100 million loans for women.
“We expect the radios to help popularise these developments and provide an oversight role on the utilisation of these resources,” Namalomba said.
He said the government expects the media to serve as a reliable bridge between leadership and communities by highlighting success stories and solutions rather than dwelling solely on negative narratives.
The Minister further stressed that the government remains committed to strengthening media pluralism and ensuring that radio stations operate in an enabling environment, assuring broadcasters that efforts are underway to address financial pressures caused by high license fees and taxes.
“The process is underway to review the license fees and taxes that radios pay, and it is our hope that the amounts will be revised downwards.
“So as government we will support the radios because we have a common objective of making Malawians happy,” he said, while also appealing for improved working conditions for journalists.In his remarks, Linga FM owner Alex Major said the radio aims to deliver innovative and high-quality programming that fills existing information gaps in the industry.
“We want to partner with the government and the masses to foster the country’s development agenda. So people should expect the best from us.
“However, running a radio is expensive; the fees and taxes are high, and the equipment is expensive. So, we are pleading with the government to consider revising the fees,” Major said.
He also appealed for greater investment in communication infrastructure such as radio towers, noting that such improvements would boost coverage and strengthen the entire broadcasting sector.
Speaking earlier, Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi chairperson Golden Matonga underscored the importance of a strong partnership between government and the media, highlighting the sector’s role not only in information dissemination but also in creating employment opportunities for Malawians.
Secretary for Information and Communications Technology Harold Msusa, Kasungu District Commissioner James Kanyangalazi, Media Council of Malawi Executive Director Moses Kaufa, officials from the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority, and traditional leaders, attended the launch.
