Macra holds meeting to promote local content dominance on local channels

Malawi-The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) held a curriculum validation meeting on Monday, which brought together various stakeholders to push for more content on local broadcasting networks, writes Thokozani Beaton.

The meeting is part of the content production project that aims to promote a requirement of 60% of local content dominance on local channels.

The Acting Director for Broadcasting Services at Macra, Matilda Kanjeri, said the meeting was part of an overall program aimed at improving locally produced content.

Kanjeri is hopeful that the project will create opportunities for producers to make productions at a cheaper rate.

Gift Sukali, president of the Film Association of Malawi (Fama), commended Macra for the initiative.

He said setting up content production studios in colleges will alleviate some of the challenges producers face, such as a lack of equipment meant for production.

Producing content such as films, and documentaries, among others, is an expensive venture.

Senior lecturer at the University of Malawi (Unima) in the Department of Media and Communications Studies, Sydney Kamkuzi, said academia is ready to provide tailor-made short courses that will suit the needs of content creators and consumers in the country.

Macra partnered with Unima and Mubas in a ten-year program that will see an increase in local content on local networks.

The meeting attracted various players in media, filmmaking, academia, and others.