· ALERT Date: December 09, 2005 Persons/Institutions: Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Violation: Censored The main opposition party, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), has threatened to take unspecified action against the state broadcaster, the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), for refusing to air a press conference the party held last month. The party paid approximately US$341 for recording and airtime but the broadcaster failed to air it. Party publicist Nicholas Dausi said MBC Director General Owen Maunde told the party that the MBC could not air the conference because recorded tapes had gone missing. “. . . MBC has demonstrated high levels of disregard to democratic norms and values where national airwaves are supposed to be open to all parties,” said Dausi. Although the state broadcaster did return the money, Dausi threatened to take the issue to parliament and make sure that the government appreciated the gravity of the issue. During the September sitting of Parliament, the MCP and other opposition parties refused to approve funding to MBC and Television Malawi (TVM), alleging that the two broadcasters were biased towards government in their coverage. The opposition parties approved the budgets under pressure from rights groups but warned TVM and MBC to change their behaviour. Information Minister Patricia Kaliati said she would only take action if MCP approached the government on the matter. · ALERT Date: October 11, 2005 Persons/Institutions: Zodiak Radio station Violation: Censored Parliament has rejected an application by the newly launched Zodiak Radio station to cover live proceedings of the House. The national legislature has been sitting since October 11 2005. Zodiak Radio Managing Director Gospel Kazako told MISA Malawi that Parliament did not give any reason for its decision. “I am concerned because I wanted the people in the village to follow what their representatives are discussing,” said Kazako. Speaker of Parliament Louis Chimango inferred that the decision was based on the station’s recent arrival on the scene. “I do not want to be discourteous. We need to grow together both the media and us. Even in the British set-up, it took time,” Chimango said. Deputy Clerk of parliament Stanslas Chisanu, whose office issued the letter, said Parliament was not sure about the station’s competence. “Zodiak is new and has not broadcast anything but music. They cannot start with a serious assignment like Parliament.” Malawi Parliament is covered by the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation and Malawi Television in evening broadcasts. Newspapers also cover the House. · ALERT Date: September 20, 2005 Persons/Institutions: Capital Radio Malawi Violation: Legislation On September 20 2005, Capital Radio Malawi launched a test case which challenges one of the laws impeding media freedom in the country, the Protected Emblems and Names Act of 1967. The Act reads: “Any person who does any act or utters any words or publishes any writing calculated to or liable to insult, ridicule or to show disrespect to the President, the National Flag, the Armorial Ensigns, the Public Seal, or any protected emblem or protected likeness, shall be liable to a fine of 1,000 pounds (sterling) and to imprisonment for two years.” Capital Radio Malawi managing director and editor-in-chief Al Osman said he had instructed So This Is Democracy? 2005 -72- Media Institute of Southern Africa