18 local internet radio stations fold
Several internet radio operators who were authorised by Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) have stopped operating.
So far, BOCRA has authorised 21 radio stations to operate online and of these, only three - The Cross FM, Letlhabile FM and Rera Online - are operational.
According to BOCRA ManagerMedia and Content, Masego Jeremiah, online station operators attribute the decision to stop operations to low uptake or fewer audiences who access their service.
In addition, internet access and fierce competition from international market players, as well as low advertising revenue, as advertisers have not yet developed confidence in their operations yet - are contributing factors.
BOCRA chief executive Martin Mokgware said during the World Radio Day on Saturday that they are still trying to figure out what regulatory support is required for online stations in order to mitigate the challenges that they are faced with.
In order to encourage more entry players into the market, BOCRA resolved to authorise stations without stringent licensing requirements.
The Authority has also waived licensing fees in an effort to encourage the authorised entities to channel resources into producing high quality content in order to be able to compete with international standards.
“The Authority also invited the online radio broadcasters whenever there was training in order to up-skill them,”Jeremiah said, adding that BOCRA has also engaged telecommunications operators to reduce mobile data prices for online radio operators with up to 40 percent.
State radio broadcast signal on the other hand covers in excess of 80 percent of the population while commercial radio covers in excess of 60 percent of the population. Mokgware said radio needs to evolve and innovate in the phase of new communications technologies for it to continue playing its role of connecting people, adding that the internet offers opportunities for all sorts of innovation.
According to Mokgware, out of the many technologies ever invented, very few have played a humanitarian role more than radio.
“Having existed more than 110 years ago when there were not as many alternative technologies as there are today, radio endeared itself to the minds and hearts of people. To this day it is still irreplaceable,” Mokgware said.
BOCRA’s mandate among others is to facilitate development of the Broadcasting sector.
Speaking at the Saturday event, Secretary General to United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Dineo Modimakwane said that radio is a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity and a platform for democratic discourse.
She noted that at the global level, radio remains the most widely consumed medium. According to Modimakwane this unique ability to reach out to the widest audience means radio can shape society’s experience of diversity.