Media Council chair calls for statutory-regulation

 Newly-elected Media Council of Malawi board chairperson Jolly Ntaba has said he will advocate for the council to have statutory powers to regulate the country’s media to enhance professionalism in the industry.

In an interview after being ushered into office in Lilongwe yesterday, he said the stage of media development in the country calls for statutory regulation.

Said Ntaba: “Previously, we were looking at voluntary self-regulation against statutory self-regulation. But the media landscape is greatly changing. Look at the ease with which media platforms are available to the point where anyone can now just pick up a pen and call themselves a journalist.

“This is a threat, as such people can bring the profession into disrepute. So, I believe at the moment that statutory self-regulation is the best way to regulate our media practice.”

Ntaba has succeeded Wisdom Chimgwede during an MCM Elective General Assembly where he was elected unopposed.

Earlier, the general assembly had already passed a resolution that the council must adopt the statutory self-regulation model.

The outgoing chairperson called on the new board to continue upholding the highest ethical standards.

Chimgwede said: “Together, we have championed press freedom, embraced innovation, and fostered an environment that nurtures the growth of media professionals. While our journey has not been without obstacles, it is through facing challenges head-on that we

 have grown stronger.”

He expressed confidence in the capabilities of the incoming leadership, saying they would inherit not just a responsibility but an opportunity to build upon current achievements, embrace new possibilities, and steer the Media Council towards an even brighter future.

In his remarks, keynote speaker Levi Zeleza Manda also called for the need for MCM to have the capacity to regulate media practice to ensure quality work and ethical practice on the media landscape.

He said: “The Media Council of Malawi needs to have ‘teeth’ so that it is able to sanction someone when they conduct themselves in a manner that is contrary to professional ethics. With a regulatory mechanism, we should be able to maintain sanity in this profession.”

MCM executive director Moses Kaufa said the council will, alongside Ministry of Information, and Digitalisation formulate a media task force that will push the process.

The law would give MCM the mandate to regulate and enforce professional and ethical media standards in the country