SECTOR 2 2.10 Government does not use its power over the placement of advertisements as a means to interfere with editorial content. Government has in the past used the placement of its advertising to support or deny support to the private media, depending on whether or not the editorial content is in agreement with government. In August 2009, government pulled the majority of its advertising from the private newspaper, The Nation, as it was seen to be too critical of the state. Only tenders were still published in The Nation, as tender regulations stipulate that government must advertise in two national dailies. The newspaper also lost out on private sector advertising as a result, because some corporate organisations did not want to be seen antagonising the government and thus shunned The Nation. When Joyce Banda came to power in April 2012, this unofficial ban was rescinded. During Banda’s ‘100 Days’ celebration, the Office of the President ensured that all the mainstream newspapers had an equal amount of government advertising. 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: 2.0 (2010 = 1.3; 2008 = 4.1; 2006 = 3.2) 2.11 The advertising market is large enough to support a diversity of media outlets. Ironically, although Malawi is classified internationally as a low-income country, characterised by high levels of poverty, the advertising market is considered to be large enough to support a diversity of media outlets and advertising currently sustains the media. Some panellists felt that there was even room for more media outlets. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MALAWI 2012 35