Media Council of Malawi (MCM) has defended the local media by challenging the idea that journalists are politically influenced by politicians.
MCM vice-chairperson Tikhala Chibwana said this on Wednesday at the opening of Media Code of Conduct Validation (MCCV) workshop in the capital, Lilongwe.
He said the Malawi media is not run on behalf of politicians.
“Certainly, in the case of private and independent media, I can say it without fear of contradiction that they are not being led or controlled by politicians,” said Chibwana.
He, however, admitted that public media in the past elections has given its time to the ruling party to campaign and denied opposition parties similar coverage.
“But that hardly qualifies as the media in Malawi being run on behalf of politicians,” said Chibwana.
“The Malawi Electoral Commission [MEC] has now assured the council that it will involve the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority [Macra] and the public media themselves in addressing the issue.” said Chibwana.
MEC commissioner Nancy Tembo said the commission and media managers will develop the 2009 Media Code of Conduct and address media independence issues.
“What we want is for an independent media to cover the 2014 tripartite election, which is the first in the country. We will incorporate Sadc guidelines discussed at the 2012 Media Institute for Southern Africa (Misa) meeting into our code of conduct,” said Tembo.
Misa vice-chairperson Thom Khanje said Misa has confidence in MEC.
“We expect MEC to be the best referee and assure us that public broadcasters will not become State broadcaster during the elections,” said Khanje.
