SECTOR 3 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: 3.6 (2010 = 3.8; 2008 = 4.1; 2006 = 3.8) 3.9 The state/public broadcaster offers diverse programming formats for all interests. In the past, during the previous regimes, there was no diversity of views on the MBC. Since Joyce Banda came into power, however, in April 2012, there seems to be a change in this regard as the state broadcaster is not being used in the same way to spread ruling party propaganda. However, panellists agreed that the MBC is still not accommodating opposition views. “I haven’t yet heard radical views on MBC, which are in opposition to the current regime. Those who opposed the previous president are now seen as allies to the MBC. There is no civil society criticism of the Joyce Banda on the MBC.” Linguistically, the MBC offers considerable diversity, with news broadcast in eight languages. The non-political content is considerably diverse as well and both the state’s radio and television services offer programming on education, economics, women’s issues and sport. “The MBC has an institutionalised gender policy and its programming tends to reflect this.” Members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) said that even if they have paid for an advertorial/special feature to be broadcast on MBC TV, “if what the president has done is seen to be more important, our show will be sidelined”. 46 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MALAWI 2012