Addis Ababa, 3 October, 2015(WIC) – Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority said it planned to offer Private Television Broadcasting license for efficient and qualified state based and private media companies in the second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II) period.
Legal and advertisement director of the authority Gizaw Tesfaye said the authority targeted to provide television licenses for media institutions so that they could contribute the overall development of the country.
According to Gizaw, the delay to offer license was due to the engagement to finalize digitalization activities.
He added that broadcaster’s should underway preparations on media contents and studio installations before they apply for television licenses.
Constructions of television broadcasting station and installations of television technologies for newly opened channels will be finalized in this budget year, said Gizaw ,adding that the authority will provide 22 new channels for private, state and public media organizations that fulfill the requirements.
Authority also plans to expand radio coverage of the nation in the second GTP Gizaw said,
According to Gizaw, licenses for about 13 private radio and 30 community radio will be given.
Walta Information Center, one of the pioneering Private Media in Ethiopia, expressed its readiness to run Television when the state offered the licenses.
Media and Production manager of Walta Information Center, Almaz Beyene, told WIC reporters that the institution has finalized all the necessary preparations including Studio and content formats.
Program division director of Fana broadcasting corporation, Samuel Endale, also told WIC reporters that FBC has been underpaying activities to run television as lt gets the license.