SECTOR 2

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country meets only a few aspects of indicator

3

Country meets some aspects of indicator

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator

Average score:

2.7 (2010 = 3.0; 2008 = n/a; 2006 = n/a)

2.8 All media fairly reflect the voices of society in its
ethnic, linguistic, religious, political and social diversity.
The print media are represented by a very small set of languages: mostly English
with a few publications in Chichewa. Malawi News and Weekend Nation are
published in English and Chichewa, while Fuko Nation is published in Chichewa
and Tumbuka.
The state radio stations broadcast news and programming in eight different
langauges, including English, during the day while state television news is
broadcast in English and Chichewa.
Private radio stations lack the resources to broadcast in multiple languages, and
news and programming is mostly conducted in English. Community radio stations
fare better in this regard and individual stations broadcast in Chichewa, Yao or
Tumbuka, depending on the audience they are catering to.
In the mainstream media, religious content tends to be dominated by the Christian
and Islamic faiths. Panellists felt that various religions were fairly well represented,
however, through the large number of religious community radio stations.
Minorities, such as gays and lesbians, generally get no coverage in the mainstream
media. However, since President Joyce Banda announced lifting the ban on
homosexuality, there has been some positive coverage in this regard.
Political views are fairly represented across the board, but not within each media
house which tends to reflect the owner’s leaning.

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MALAWI 2012

33

Select target paragraph3