By Staff Reporter

Human Rights activists on Monday attacked Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi for asking Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) to reverse its decision of revoking the broadcasting licence for Rainbow Television Station.

Macra revoked the licence for the TV station following non-payment of broadcasting fees and after failed attempts to get the broadcaster pay.

Reacting to the move, Misa Malawi on Sunday wrote Macra expressing concern over the decision and urged Macra to rescind it and continue negotiations with the broadcaster.

However, different activists and social media commentators has faulted Misa Malawi arguing that it is not supposed to side with lawlessness.

Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) Board Chair Robert Mkwezalamba has also urged Rainbow Television to pay the fees and take back their licence.

“Every station must know that they operate as long as their licence is active hence need to always work towards paying the fees,” he said.

Renowned Social commentator Muze Muchizi says the only remedy here is let Rainbow TV pay the fees.

Muchizi says the issues here boarders on law and and Macra has not operated outside its mandate.

Said Muchizi: “No need for negotiations, Rainbow Television has defaulted paying broadcasting license fee as required by law. Revocation of the licence is the set punishment for defaulters.

Macra has just acted within its mandate. There is nothing like the government trying to silence critical voices, Rainbow Television is on the wrong side of the law, they deserve what they have gotten.”

Muchizi advised Rainbow Television to just raise the money, pay as required and have their licence back.

“There is no need for negotiations lest we set a bad precedence,” added Muchizi.

In the statement, Misa Malawi said it has noted with concern the revocation of the licence as announced by Macra Director General Daud Suleiman.

“MISA Malawi finds the revocation disturbing considering that there had already been ongoing negotiations between the two parties.

“At the time of the announcement of the licence revocation, Rainbow Television had paid, in two instalments, almost half of the required amount. MACRA has therefore announced the revocation on the basis of the remaining amount,” reads part of the statement.