The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has courted content creators on validating a short course on local content production.
Speaking during the validation workshop in Blantyre on Monday, Macra acting Director of Broadcasting Matilda Kanjere said the short course is aimed at improving standards and volume of local content.
She added that the content production project started by donating video production equipment to the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, adding that they are in the process of donating equipment to the University of Malawi (Unima).
“The whole idea is that we should have a lot of options for local content and also give room to content producers to have the liberty to produce content, whenever they can, at a subsidised rate or even for free,” she said.
Content transmission licenses from Macra require that local media should be having content that is 60 percent local and 40 percent foreign but there are challenges in implementing this.
The authority says this is because the local media complains that local content is expensive as compared to foreign content, which is sometimes offered for free.
Film Association of Malawi President Gift Sukali expressed optimism that the short course on content production would, once it begins, improve standards.
“It has been hard to have standards in our industry and we are happy that they have engaged us to validate what the academia has put together so that the course speaks to industry needs,” Sukali said.
Unima senior lecturer Sydney Kankuzi said the short course curriculum has been formulated to fill the gap that is there is local content production because, according to him, most content producers are unable to produce local content that can be distinguished from foreign.
The evolvement of technology, especially social media platforms, has culminated in a rise in content creators in the country and growth in the means of transmission.
Justin Mkweu is a fast growing reporter who currently works with Times Group on the business desk.
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