broadcasting diversity and share experiences in accessing public
media among various groups in Malawi such as civil society,
political parties and other institutions.
2. To explore ways how a diverse electronic media can enrich
human rights and democracy in Malawi.
The workshop was a resounding success because participants
(including those from the electronic media) identified problems
that were hindering broadcasting diversity in Malawi. At the end
of the workshop they came up with some recommendations one of
which was to review the Communications Act. As a result of the
recommendations, NAMISA held a follow up a workshop in May to
Review the Communications Act. It is believed among the
stakeholders that once the Act is reviewed, MACRA will be in a
better position to enforce the Act than hitherto.
There is a radio advert running on Capital FM radio urging MBC
and TVM to open up. The advert is intended to raise public
awareness on the need for the two state media organisations to
start opening up to diverse views. The other intention is to
raise awareness among the people that it is their right to
communicate through the media of their choice, including the
public media. As citizens they also have a role to play in
ensuring that public media serves everyone regardless of their
political beliefs or views.
NAMISA also held a daylong civil society campaign for
broadcasting diversity meeting with fifteen civil society
organisations to sensitise them about the campaign for
broadcasting diversity. The meeting was designed to forge a
strategic partnership with civil society to assist in the
campaign programme.
Since NAMISA is a member of the Malawi Human Rights Consultative
Committee, a network of 40 civil society organisations with
programmes on human rights and good governance in Malawi, civil
society organisations were very receptive to the programme and
pledged to support NAMISA in its endeavor to open up MBC and TVM.
They pointed out that the two media institutions deny them a
voice as well.
They came up with a number of proposals that could make public
media open up the airwaves. Some of the proposals include legal
action, demonstrations, strengthening private radio stations (MIJ
and Capital FM) by lobbying them to beam all over the country.
The workshop raised awareness about the need for public media to
open up and there was a lot of enthusiasm to change.
The recommendation to review the Communications Act is a welcome
development, which should enhance broadcasting diversity.

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