Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has asked media houses to level the playing field for all political parties and independent candidates in the run up to the September 16 General Election.
Macra deputy director of broadcasting Kelton Masangano made the call in Lilongwe yesterday when the Elections Broadcast Monitoring and Complaints Committee (EBMCC) and Malawi Law Society engaged political party representatives and broadcasters to sensitise them on their role during the elections.
He warned broadcasters against biased coverage, misinformation and promoting hatred, saying doing so will attract penalties.
Said Masangano: “We are levelling the playing field to ensure fair broadcasting that reflects views of different candidates and not improperly favour anyone. As Macra, we will deploy monitors across the country to monitor broadcasting content.
“If there is any deviation to the Communication Act as well as the Media Council Code of Conduct, the broadcasters will be summoned by this committee.”
He said the committee will handle complaints from political parties, electoral candidates and even the voters themselves on how the broadcasters are performing.
But Masangano could not outline the specific penalties.
Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) incoming chairperson Ben Chakhame said political parties want to see action and not words, adding broadcasters that are biased or promote hatred need to be taken to task.
He called on media houses to be professional and level the playing field for political players. He said politicians should sell themselves freely.
“Already, as political parties, we have pointed fingers at some of the media houses and even senior members of media houses instigating things that can cause violence or anger in other political parties,” said Chakhame.
On his part, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa also called on media houses to be responsible and objective in their reporting.
“You should be impartial. You should not be taking sides. Anyone would want you to talk about them in a positive way but you should not do it in a manner that puts someone at an advantage and another at a disadvantage,” he said.
EBMCC comprises Macra, MEC, CMD, National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice)-Trust,Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa)-Malawi and Media Council of Malawi.
Broadcasting licences issued by Macra have a provision for establishment of the committee whose mandate is to look into all complaints concerning broadcasts during elections.
