MBC assured of govt non-interference
Government has assured the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) of editorial independence and non-interference in the public broadcaster’s day-to-day work.
Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture Kondwani Nankhumwa said this on Monday when he visited MBC’s Kwacha television studios and the broadcasting house at Chichiri in Blantyre.
Said Nankhumwa: “I would like to assure you that neither I, nor anyone from the ministry or government will come to interfere with MBC’s editorial independence and professionalism.
“If you fail, I don’t want you to blame me, the PS [principal secretary] or government. You will have failed because you wanted to. Government will give you space to function without any interference.”
The minister, who was visiting MBC as part of his familiarsation tour of institutions under his ministry, said government will cement the assurance with legislation.
“We will make sure this guarantee is not only supported by political will, but also by key legislation in the form of the Access to Information Bill and the Communications Bill that government has committed to pass during the next sitting of Parliament. This will provide a bulwark for media freedoms,” said Nankhumwa.
MBC has in the past been accused of favouring ruling parties in its coverage while ignoring opposing voices.
In his remarks, MBC director general Benson Tembo appealed for government support in modernising the broadcaster through procuring modern equipment and improving studios.
