funded by DFID, USAID and Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), which MISA Malawi participated in noted, “… compared with the bias demonstrated by the state media towards the ruling party in 2009, this time round the bias was slightly less… a development that can only be welcomed.’ Much as MBC’s content still favoured then incumbent Joyce Banda and her People’s Party (PP), it was obvious to all the station had moved away from operating as pure propaganda machinery for the party in power to a platform for critical debate and dialogue on matters of national interest. To the surprise of many, MBC broadcast all the presidential debates live, despite the fact that incumbent Joyce Banda had refused to participate. MBC also featured the opposition and people critical of the PP, a development that probably led to the unceremonious dismissal of Director General Benson Tembo during the unofficial announcement of the results. A court injunction saved Tembo from the chopping board, but still demonstrated the need for speedy review of the Communications Act to ensure statutory independence of the public broadcaster. Different governments have come and gone with promises that they would loosen government grip on MBC. The current administration has promised the same and we are yet to see what will happen. What is clear, however, is that at the time of writing this review the draft Communications Bill had been finalised by the Ministry of Justice and set for review in cabinet. The bill will most likely be tabled in Parliament in June alongside the E-Transactions Bill – which aims at regulating on-line content, and the Access to Information Bill. Our only hope is that the bill will not be changed to provide government leeway to continue interfering with MBC opera- tions. FREE EXPRESSION ONLINE Malawi on track for digital migration, but are we ready for it? With the deadline for digital migration approaching, government in February 2014 registered a company called Malawi Digital Broadcasting Network Limited to provide signal distribution services to all licensed broadcasters and hopes are high that the country will meet the June 17 deadline. Government officials are also optimistic that the country is on the right track, being among the top four in SADC – alongside Tanzania, Mauritius and Namibia, promising to meet the deadline. Media reports and random interviews, however, show that little has been done to sensitize people and broadcasters on digital migration and what it will mean for the country and its citizens come June 17. PRINT MEDIA Concerns over threats to Malawi’’s media plurality The Malawi print media has shown little signs of growth when the broadcast sector is increasing in numbers, largely due to the costs associated with printing. The sector is also urban based with little penetration even in semi-urban and remote districts. It is important to note, however, that the print media remains the most direct and influential platform for decision makers. Most comments and complaints by those in power are based on newspaper reports and columns. This, to a large extent, shows that the print media is key in reaching out to the echelons of power. One key development in the print media So This is Democracy? 2014 41