Malawi
It is on this basis that MISA Malawi believes the current administration is committed to promoting access to information. Whether the bill will be enacted as
promised by the authorities, howver, is a
different story.
Section 37 of the Malawi Constitution
clearly provides for the right of access
to information but this provision in itself
is not sufficient to ensure easy access.
For example, factors such as an unresponsive or unwilling public sector and
illiteracy combine to limit the citizenry
from enjoying this right. With the policy
in place, the Ministry of Information is
on record as starting to implement some
provisions of the policy, including encouraging government departments and
ministries to recruit Information Officers
and proactively disseminate information.

BROADCASTING
Sector growing, but operation
costs continue to threaten
community radio and sector
diversity
The broadcasting sector has grown from
a single radio outlet in the early 1990s
to 78 to date, 26 of which are not yet
operational. The growth in the sector has
increased sources of information for the
citizenry. Unfortunately, however, only
few outlets have the financial means to
sustain their operations, let alone roll
out.
MISA Malawi secured funding from OSISA around September 2014 to support
a community radio initiative in Nsanje
district called Nyanthepa, which was
granted a license in 2010 but has been
failing to roll out due to financial constraints. The radio is now set to go on air
in April, 2015.

40

So This is Democracy? 2014

Securing a broadcasting license is one
thing but rolling out and sustaining
operations, especially community, is
another. The limited independent television outlets granted licenses in 2012
and 2013 are also struggling to roll out.

The growth in the
sector has increased
sources of information
for the citizenry.
Unfortunately,
however, only few
outlets have the
financial means
to sustain their
operations, let alone
roll out.
Nonetheless, the growth in the sector
is important as it demonstrates government’s commitment and willingness to
strengthen the broadcasting industry
given the country’s literacy levels and
limited penetration and circulation of
the print media.
A notable development in the broadcasting sector during the elections period was a marked move by state run
MBC to programming based on public
interest and professionalism. MBC has
always supported the party in power
with over 99 percent content in favour
of the state. However, a media monitoring project during the 2014 elections

Select target paragraph3