The government has not changed its position on conditions for broadcasting stations licensed to operate in the country.
Among these is a requirement for them relay their programmes in either Kiswahili or English and not short of that, a senior official of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) Eng. Annete Matindi stressed in Arusha recently.
She said vernacular programmes, when allowed in special circumstances, have to be relayed with simultaneous translation for the benefit of the wider audience in Tanzania. Kiswahili is both a national and official language while English remains another official language.
Eng. Matindi, who is the northern zone manager for the broadcasting regulatory body, was briefing reporters on the licensing requirements for emerging broadcasting stations, now increasingly being set up in various parts of the country.
She was handing over an operating license to a newly-established New Life Radio Network of Bomang'ombe in Hai district, Kilimanjaro region.
She said TCRA expected the newly-licensed broadcasting houses to strictly observe the regulations and professional ethics of the media.
She said TCRA expected the newly-licensed broadcasting houses to strictly observe the regulations and professional ethics of the media.
According to her,the northern zone already has a total of 26 radio stations licensed to operate - one of the highest concentrations in the country - nine of them are found in Tanga region, eight in Arusha, seven in Kilimanjaro and two in Manyara region.
She said because of the high concentrations, TCRA was running short of frequencies, especially around the major cities of Arusha, Moshi and Tanga and has been encouraging new applicants to seek for areas where frequences are available.
A concentration of radio or other broadcasting stations in one locality means communication airwaves would be jammed.
A concentration of radio or other broadcasting stations in one locality means communication airwaves would be jammed.
New Life Radio Network is owned by the International Evangelism Church based at Sakila village in Arumeru district, Arusha region.
The director of the new broadcasting outlet Bishop Israel Gabriel said this was the first radio station under the church and that it would relay its broadcasts from 5 am in the morning to midnight every day.
The total investment for the project is well above Sh. 40 million mainly for the construction of towers and masts and power lines.
"Ours will be a radio relaying programmes targeting the wider community in Kiswahili", he said, adding that since it is owned by the church there would be some religious programmes.
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MATUKIO HABARI