Minister of Information and Communication Technology Shadric Namalomba has warned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) against deliberate failure to uphold the institution’s mandate as a national broadcaster.
Speaking yesterday on the sidelines of a meeting with managers and owners of community and regional radio stations based in the Southern Region, he stressed that political bias and unprofessional conduct will no longer be tolerated.
Warned Namalomba: “If anyone in MBC does not subscribe to our belief and the belief of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration that MBC must operate as a national broadcaster, they will be fired.”
His caution comes amid long-standing concerns previously raised by various players, including Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa Malawi Chapter) and Media Council of Malawi that have repeatedly expressed concern over the station’s persistent bias in its coverage of news as well as programmes.
The organisations have argued that as a publicly-funded broadcaster, MBC has a duty to serve all Malawians, not political interests, concerns that have intensified during successive administrations.
The minister insisted that the conduct of some employees at MBC during the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) era like campaign operatives was unacceptable and must not be repeated.
He emphasised that senior staff at the public broadcaster must maintain strict professional boundaries or else government will be forced to take strict measures on them.
He also expressed confidence in the incoming MBC Board, whose names he said had already been submitted for approval, that they will help restore integrity and accountability at the institution.
“The DPP administration expects the new board to enforce standards that prevent future partisan capture of the broadcaster. Both the incoming board and MBC management actually know our position,” he said.
Speaking during the meeting, Namalomba said community and regional broadcasters, despite facing various challenges, were vital voices in society in communicating what matters to the people.
He said: “You are the bridge between the national aspirations and the grassroots… However, let us always exercise responsible journalism.”
On her part, Macra acting director-general Mphatso Phiri observed that community and regional broadcasters were the lifelines of communication, centres of information and platforms for accountability.
She said regional and community broadcasters were catalysts for social and economic development in the communities they serve.
Phiri said: “In many parts of Malawi, the Internet is still far less accessible than in urban areas. Because of this, radio remains the most trusted and reliable source of information.
“Many of you broadcast in languages and formats that local communities understand thereby making information meaningful, relevant and actionable.”
She said, as a regulator, Macra was committed to working closely with all broadcasting partners to ensure that every citizen has access to the information they need.
During the event, the ministry through Macra also donated motorcycles to some community radio stations in the Southern Region.
Managing director of Chibvomelezi Community Radio in Chikwawa, Blessings Melo, said the motorbikes will greatly ease their transport challenges which have been compromising their journalistic integrity.
