Media & freedom of expression

MALAWI: Community radio station censored

2002-06-27, Issue 70

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/media/8516

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The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has warned the Malawi Institute of Journalism radio station (MIJ FM) that it risks losing its broadcasting license because of what MACRA describes as anomalies and bias in its reporting. MIJ FM is a community radio station run by the MIJ to train students. However, it has been established that the license principles issued to MIJ state that the radio station should protect the best interests of the community, encourage new and innovative programmes and promote community access to information. MACRA Director of Telecommunications Mike Kuntiya refused to clarify what the authority meant by "anomalies" in MIJ FM programmes. MACRA, hitherto dormant, is yet to prove to be a neutral referee. The Authority has failed to take action against the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), despite the public outcry over MBC's apparent partisan reporting in favour of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF).

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
> _________________________________________________________________
>
> ALERT - MALAWI
>
> 25 June 2002
>
> Community radio station censored
>
> SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek
>
> (MISA/IFEX) - The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has
> warned the Malawi Institute of Journalism radio station (MIJ FM) that it
> risks losing its broadcasting license because of what MACRA describes as
> anomalies and bias in its reporting. MIJ FM is a community radio station
run
> by the MIJ to train students.
>
> In a 13 June 2002 letter signed by MACRA Director General Evance Namanja,
> MACRA accused MIJ FM of running editorial comments, newscasts, licensed
> programme formats and general coverage inconsistent with the provisions of
> the Communications Act and MIJ's broadcasting license.
>
> However, the MISA's Malawi chapter (Namisa) has established that the
license
> principles issued to MIJ state that the radio station should protect the
> best interest of the community, encourage new and innovative programmes
and
> promote community access to information.
>
> MIJ Executive Director James Ng'ombe told Namisa in a 20 June interview
that
> he was surprised by MACRA's move. Ng'ombe said his station would not
betray
> professional standards because of the threats. "I hope everyone gets the
> same type of refereeing. I hope they (MACRA) have a way of proving
> neutrality and balance," said Ng'ombe.
>
> MACRA Director of Telecommunications Mike Kuntiya refused to clarify what
> the authority meant by "anomalies" in MIJ FM programmes. MACRA, hitherto
> dormant, is yet to prove to be a neutral referee. The Authority has failed
> to take action against the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), despite
> the public outcry over MBC's apparent partisan reporting in favour of the
> ruling United Democratic Front (UDF).
>
> Political analysts suspect that MACRA's move is aimed at turning the
station
> into another front to advance the idea of an unlimited term in the
> presidential office. The Malawi Constitution, which the UDF is trying to
> amend, gives the president a maximum of two five-year terms in office.
>
> MIJ FM took to the airwaves a year ago and is fully dependent on donor
> funding, especially from Denmark, a country that controversially cut its
> diplomatic ties with Malawi a few months ago.
>
> For further information, contact Zoe Titus or Kaitira Kandjii, Regional
> Information Coordinator, MISA, Street Address: 21 Johann Albrecht Street,
> Mailing Address; Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232975,
> fax: +264 61 248016, e-mail: research@misa.org.na or kkandjii@misa.org.na,
> Internet: http://www.misa.org/
>
> The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of
MISA.
> In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MISA.

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