Ten of the 64 TV stations have jointly applied for a self-regulating code under Media Owners Association. Free-to-air television and radio stations flouting the broadcasting code for the first time may only be cautioned, the regulator has said. Wangusi said while most radio stations – which largely ride on music and talk shows for content – have met the 40 per cent local content rule, only national broadcaster KBC with 42 per cent local content is safe among the 64 licensed TV houses. TV stations, most of which are struggling due to thin advertising revenues, have blamed overreliance on foreign programmes on costly production costs for local content, but the regulator holds a different view. News programmes do not, however, constitute local content under the code.

Source: The Star July 04, 2016 03:45 UTC