My take on APM’s remarks on the media

Honourable Folks, I’m compelled to respond to a by-the-way comment on media relations with government made by HE Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika at the fund-raising dinner dance for DPP and flood victims covered live by MBC TV on Saturday.

The President lamented that while the media is eager to play up every flaw of his administration, it pays a blind eye to the many good things it’s also doing. His punch-line: his patience is wearing thin.

That’s not surprising. Every president since 1994 has complained about relentless government bashing by print media, in particular. In retaliation, journalists have been assaulted or arbitrarily arrested.

In extreme cases, government has denied media houses adverts or tried in vain to tweak the statutes and give itself powers to prohibit the publication of deviant papers.

Interestingly, past attempts by government, ruling parties or presidents to start their own publications to tell their story in the manner they considered “responsible” failed miserably.  It appears not even the party cadres who bash private media at public rallies want to spend a tambala on a propaganda mouthpiece!

Attempts by government to monopolise access to the state broadcaster, MBC, have led to denial of the opposition coverage of their election campaign messages despite the dictates of the Communications Act, the creation of Macra and court rulings in favour of opening up the airwaves to both sides of the political divide.

And, just to show government’s determination to monopolise use of State media, managers and staff at MBC have in the past lost their jobs  simply for being perceived to be “pro-opposition” or for not carrying out directives from politicians who play the chief editor by virtue of being associated with the ruling party.

Those who have monitored media coverage in election times, including Macra and Malawi Electoral Commission have over the years exposed how MBC, a broadcaster which runs on tax-payer’s money, has grossly failed to give the public a balanced view of players on both sides of the political divide with which to make informed decisions as they cast their votes.

Interestingly, monopoly of the State media has not necessarily led to the victory of the party in power. What it has done is to destroy the credibility of the State broadcaster. MBC which used to enjoy a reach of over 80 percent of the population now plays second fiddle to Zodiak.

But government shenanigans in the name of trying to level the playing field for itself have also resulted in a 20-year hide-and-seek game with the public demand for amending the statutes that are not in tandem with constitutional provisions for the right to free press.

Even the Access to Information Act, meant to empower the people with public information they can use to exercise their rights and hold to account those they entrust with pubic offices—crucial for the success of decentralisation programme—remains in limbo, under the pretext of denying the “irresponsible” more powers.

My advice is simple. APM needs the media much more than he needs the opportunistic cronies surrounding him. The reform programme, the fight against Cashgate and corruption, and any change for the better, can’t be sold at a better market place of ideas than the media which is free.

In democracy media content can’t be determined by the same people entrusted with sovereign authority. It’s not for nothing that free press is also known as the watch-dog for society. Its boss is the public which bankrolls the media and hires the president.

Private-owned media can only survive and grow by seeking a fresh mandate of the readers (the electorate!) everyday and these vote for it with their hard-earned money. Credibility hinges on being a responsible watchdog, ensuring nothing fishy slips through the finger.

If government strongly believes the coverage of its positive side is inadequate, it should package such information in press statements or pass it on to the media through press conferences. If I’m not throwing them under the bus, Vice-President Saulos Chilima and Treasury spokesperson Nations Msowoya can help teach other folks in government how best to work with the media.

It’s definitely not by giving scribes K50 000 handouts!

thebackbencher@yahoo.com