The deadline for the applications was 16 March 2009 and according to a
statement issued by the regulator, only five applicants were able to
meet the deadline. The applicants include two community and three
commercial radio stations. They are Lubombo Community Radio and Seventh
Day Adventist Church (for community-based radio stations), D fm, One fm
and Radio Grace (for commercial radio licenses).
The regulator has promised to ensure transparency in processing the applications.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Swaziland Chapter
recently wrote to the regulator welcoming the positive move to free the
airwaves in Swaziland, but also raising a number of concerns regarding
the licencing conditions which MISA believed were difficult to meet,
particularly for community radio applicants.
However, the regulator's response was bit sarcastic and arrogant,
seeking to brush MISA off the issue. The chapter, which has played a
key role in assisting most of the applicants in filing their
applications, will remain engaged and monitoring the process till the
end.
The regulator recently promised that the licences should be issued to deserving applicants by mid April 2009.
MISA
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