MALAWI National Overview: Malawi | 2010 Alert Date: January 11, 2010 Person/ institutions: Anthony Masiku, Francis Chapotera Violation/ issue: Detained Police in Kasungu district arrested Anthony Masiku (29) and Francis Chapotera (30) for operating a radio station called Rhodes FM without a license from the country’s communications regulatory body, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA). Person/ institutions: Leckford Thotho, Employees, MBC, TVM Violation/ issue: Threatened Information Minister, Leckford Thotho, denied rumours that employees of the country’s state-broadcasters, the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Television Malawi (TVM) were living in fear following news that the two broadcasters would soon be merged leaving some of them jobless. He said all affected employees would be absorbed in government structures. Alert Communiqué Date: January 11, 2010 Person/ institutions: Lucius Banda, MBC Violation/ issue: Banned, Censored State-controlled broadcaster the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has banned the latest album of the country’s celebrated musician Lucius Banda, from enjoying airplay on the station’s airwaves. The album, known as Fifteen Fifteen, critically stressed political developments taking place in the country. Malawi Communiqué Date: January 13, 2010 Person/ institutions: Charles Nsaliwa, MACRA Violation/ issue: Victory The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) appointed a new Director General, Charles Nsaliwa, with effect from 9 December 2009. Nsaliwa replaced Alexon Chiwaya. Communiqué Date: February, 24, 2010 Person/ institutions: Journalists, MCM Violation/ issue: Victory Journalists in Malawi were to be issued accreditation cards for easy recognition and identification by members of the public. This follows the launching of ethics and accreditation booklets on 19 February 2010 by the Media Council of Malawi (MCM), a body that looks into issues of journalism ethics, complaints, arbitration and accreditation. Communiqué Date: February 25, 2010 Person/ institutions: MACRA Violation/ issue: Victory Eligible and qualified individuals and organizations had an opportunity to own broadcasting stations in Malawi following advertisement by the country’s Communications and Regulatory Authority (MACRA) for broadcasting applications on 17 February 2010. Date: January 13, 2010 40 2010 2010 41