The broadcast sector of Mali’s media has been hit by a steep increase in licence fees, raising concerns about the survival of the industry that is already beset by myriad problems.
On 31 December 2024, Mali’s media regulatory body, the High Authority for Communication (HAC), signed two new decrees on the annual fee and methods of payment for the operation of private audiovisual communication services, as well as the costs of issuing licences for the establishment, operation, and change of type of such services.
According to the two new decrees, No. 4473 and 4474, the previous annual fee of 500,000 CFA francs has been increased to 5,000,000 CFA francs. This represents a 900% rise, a hefty blow for a sector already burdened with heavy debts and a persistent shortage of electricity, and a shrinking market due to security-related economic issues in Mali. In fact, many media organisations were already finding it difficult to pay the previous annual fees of 500,000 CFA francs. This measure is therefore seen as a threat to the sustainability of the Malian press.
The decrees were signed without prior notice or the possibility of revision, contrary to previous practices. The media was officially informed of this decision on February 8, 2025. This has come as a shock to various audiovisual and online press associations (URTEL, AMATEL, APEL Mali, URPM, and ACCESS), who strongly oppose the decrees and are calling for their repeal in a joint statement.
La Maison de la Presse, our national partner in Mali, along with other media organisations and professional groups, says the increase is a significant blow to the industry. Mr. Dante Badiogou, President of La Maison de la Presse, MFWA’s national partner in Mali, stated that his organisation and other stakeholder groups are engaging the authorities in dialogue and expect a favourable outcome.
The Media Foundation for West Africa joins the Malian media associations in calling on the High Authority for Communication to redress the situation and to set fees by mutual agreement, lest the media are forced to close down. Mali is going through a difficult political and social crisis and needs the full support of all strands of society including the media. It will therefore be in the interest of the country to support a vibrant media sector.
