PP dominates airwaves in Malawi

The People’s Party (PP) of President Joyce Banda is the most covered political party in the country while Malawi Broadcasting Station (MBC TV) is the media house that dedicated most of its airtime to political parties, a Macra media monitoring analysis shows.

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) in a media monitoring analysis spanning 11 days (September 23-October 3) says PP got 425 minutes; Malawi Congress Party (MCP) , 215; United Democratic Front (UDF) 135; and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) 131.

People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) enjoyed 47 minutes, Aford 42, Umodzi Party 30, Petra 30, National Salvation Front 29, Malabvi People’s Party 27 and People’s Development Movement (PDM) 12.

PP publicity secretary Hophmally Makande attributed activeness of the party to the massive airtime it is enjoying.

“We are the most active political party in the country; that is why most radio station are following and featuring our activities.  There is no undue influence on any media house,” he said.

But DPP and UDF have questioned the media monitoring analysis.

DPP publicity secretary Nicholas Dausi observed that despite claims that MBC TV opened up to opposition political parties, the station did not feature DPP in two weeks.

“MBC Tv is a propaganda media house for the ruling party. They are denying Malawians a right to choice. It is giving leverage to one political party [PP],” said Dausi referring to 80 minutes PP was featured on the national television.

UDF publicist Ken Ndanga said the party has lost trust in Macra media monitoring analysis describing it as a hoax.

“I don’t know how far we can trust the media monitoring analysis. Recently, their (Macra) survey was disputed,” said Ndanga.

On airtime to political parties, the survey shows that Capital Radio dedicated 270 minutes, Galaxy Radio 133, Joy 120, MIJ FM 107, ZBS 62, Star FM 53, Matindi 34, MBC Radio One 26, and Living Waters 18.

The media monitoring analysis, however, did not show whether the coverage was positive or negative to political parties.