Foreword

Some reforms are underway worldwide in the communications sector driven by rapid technological innovation, increasimg globalization, stiffer competition and huge capital requirements.  For any country to achieve rapid economic development, it is imperative to improve communication services.

In order to meet the aspirations of the general public and and accelerate improvement of communication services in Malawi, the Government has decided to deregulate both the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors and provide a framework for the liberalization of the whole communications sector.

 I am pleased to state that this document, the Communications Sector Policy Statement, now in your possession, forms and constitutes Government policy on communication for the country.  The Policy Statement represents the culmination of an extensive process of consultations within and outside the country and is a product of multisectoral interactal among several players from the Government, the private sector and the general public.  In a democracy, such consultations are of fundamental importance in order to ensure that the policy enjoys the widest possible support of, and acceptance by, the people and stakeholders on whom it is envisaged will make an appropriate impact.

 The policy has taken into account full recognition of the dynamic changes, which radically affect the roles of communication in the social and economic development of Malawi.  It will be necessary to review the policy periodically in order to take into account and accommodate unpredictable rapid changes in technology, trade liberalization, globalization and social attitude.

In the meantime, Government is putting in place a full range of modern services, which should be accessible by all the population of Malawi.  Those living in the rural areas should at least have access to basic communication services.  The situation at the moment is that 80 per cent of the telephone lines are available to only 20 per cent of the population of Malawi living in urban areas.  The majority of the rural population is left without adequate telephone lines.  This situation will be improved.

Lastly, I would like to thank all the people whom, in one way or another, contributed towards the formulation and development of this policy statement.  They are too many to list all of them by name.  However, my special thanks go to stakeholders for their invaluable contribution towards the formulation of the policy, members of the Task Force for their assistance in drafting the policy statement, the royal Danish Government for funding the project and a British Consultant, and officials of the Ministry of Information for their administrative and technical support during the preparation of the policy statement.