Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – The government of The Gambia has announced the conditional lifting of the moratorium on the issuance of radio broadcasting licenses, marking a significant shift in the country’s media landscape.

In a press statement issued by the Ministry of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services on Friday, authorities confirmed that Cabinet approved the decision during its July 3 meeting, with immediate effect.

The moratorium, which had been in place to facilitate regulatory review and spectrum management, is now partially lifted under new conditions designed to promote inclusive access to information, especially in underserved areas.

According to the statement, the lifting of the ban applies specifically to two categories of radio license applicants, namely the stations targeting rural populations and commercial radio stations with the capacity for national coverage.

“This initiative seeks to correct the current over-subscription in urban regions while promoting broader nationwide reach and representation in broadcasting,” the government noted.

Regulatory bodies are expected to begin reviewing eligible applications immediately under the new guidelines. Successful applicants will be contacted in due course with further instructions.

The government emphasized its commitment to fostering diversity, accessibility, and balanced growth in the broadcasting sector, adding that it will closely monitor the impact of this policy adjustment as part of its broader media development strategy.

The move is seen as part of efforts to bridge the information divide between urban and rural areas and to foster a more representative media landscape.