OVERALL SCORE FOR SECTOR 1: Sector 2 2.1 2.9 (2006 = 2.9) The media landscape is characterised by diversity, independence and sustainability A wide range of sources of information (print, broadcasting, internet) is available and affordable to citizens ANALYSIS: The mix of government and private ownership of the print media still obtains in Malawi. The private publishing sector has since lost the Chronicle of the Jamieson Publications and the weekly Courier. Both were published in Lilongwe, the Capital City. None of the Blantyre-based publications folded. However, access to print products is sometimes limited in the rural areas resulting from circulation bottlenecks as the publications are produced from commercial cities. Broadcasting continued to grow with the setting up of new religious radiostations such the of the Seventh Day Adventist and the assemblies of God ministries. Otherwise, the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) remained a state controlled radio operating without funding after the National Assembly in 2007 withheld its allocation due to what was termed ‘bias’ broadcasts. A new television, owned by former state President, Bakili Muluzi by the name of Joy Tv was temporarily on air and was stopped pending its application for a broadcast licence. The State controlled television, Television Malawi is expected to merge with MBC in accordance with the provisions of the Communications Act 1998. Internet services were maintained. The government is meanwhile implementing tele centres in the rural areas to make internet services widely accessible to rural people. Scores: Individual Scores: Average Score: 2.2 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 3, 3, 3, 2 3.0 (2006 = 2.6) Citizens’ access to domestic and international media sources is not restricted by state authorities ANALYSIS: Access to media sources is not restricted by the state. However, there is the Censorship and Control of Entertainment Act which establishes a Classification Board empowered to censor books and audio-visual Materials. So This Is Democracy? 2008 -181- Media Institute of Southern Africa