available on the MISA website in
French and English. The site also
contains papers and presentations
made
in
briefings
that
are
orienting civil society to the
summit and the issues for Africa.
C3. In Malawi the government is
still using the public broadcasters
the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Television Malawi
(TVM) for political propaganda. During the period under review
the two broadcasters designed their programmes to please the
government and to deceive the world that the whole country wanted
Muluzi
to
continue
as
president
of
Malawi
after
his
constitutional two five year term expires.
TVM and MBC denied access to the airwaves to anyone who was
opposed to the third term bid and the UDF agenda. On the other
hand, TVM constantly gave extensive coverage to proponents of the
third term. They also waged a smear campaign to discredit the
opposition.
While TVM and MBC vilified the masses and critics of the third
term campaign, private radio stations especially the Malawi
Institute of Journalism (MIJ 90.3 Radio) and Capital Radio
carried out diverse views in their broadcasts. Through a live
Sunday debate programme, Capital Radio people with diverse views.
Predictably, the media houses paid dearly for their stand. For
example, Mr Henry Chibwana surprised the nation when he ordered
MIJ FM radio, for which he is the board chairperson, to stop
broadcasting political news until a review of its code of ethics
and broadcasting licence was done. However, MIJ management and
board members challenged his decision while the British Council
threatened to stop supporting the radio station if the ban was
carried out. The ban fell through.
In February, two senior police officers besieged the premises of
Capital Radio demanding to see the station manager. The siege
came a few hours after the radio aired a live phone-in programme
reviewing the conduct of the reformed Malawi Police Service.
Callers severely criticised the police for their shortcomings.
The MISA Malawi Chapter held stakeholders' broadcasting diversity
workshop from 7th to 8th February 2003. About 45 participants
drawn from political parties, broad civil society organisations,
print and electronic media and the Malawi Communications
Regulatory Authority (MACRA) attended the workshop. The
objectives of the workshop were:
1. Get an insight into the role of various stakeholders in
promoting

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