Malawi journalists petition govt to lift advert ban on newspaper

Malawi government has been petitioned by the Journalists Union of Malawi (Juma) appealing that the authorities should rescind its decision to withdraw state advertisement in some private media institutions including the Nation Publications Limited

JUMA petition signed by Levi Zeleza Manda and sent to Minister of Information Leckford Thotho (pictured) said the directive to ban advertisement has been circulated, in writing, to some government departments.

The journalists union said the ban might be misconstrued as suppression of media freedom and intolerance to civil dissent and that some might even start questioning Malawi’s democratic credentials.

“We believe and trust that for the sake of media development in Malawi and continued good image of Malawi in the world, you will intercede on the media’s behalf and appeal to His Excellency Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika for a change of heart so that the current government directive against placing state advertisements in some media outlets gets rescinded,” appealed JUMA.

The union said it is concerned that without government advertisement, a substantial number of media personnel, particularly the youth, will lose jobs, which will be against President Mutharika’s dreams and plans for the youth of this country.

“Without proper employment, the young journalists might end up being exploited, manipulated and abused by people who do not wish this country and its leadership well.

“We actually call on and encourage the Malawi Government to advertise even more in all media so that the media in Malawi expands, thus enabling it to employ even more personnel and pay them even better. We believe this administration can and will do it,” said JUMA in the petition which has also been circulated on Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi internet discussion forum.

JUMA pointed out that Malawi has won the battle against food insecurity partly because media houses did their job professionally and in a timely manner “telling people where, when, and how to get subsidised inputs.”

The petition also pointed out that the media as a dedicated whistle blower has been in the forefront in the fight against corruption and other social evils that used to retard human and social development.

“We appreciate, Honourable Minister, that like any other advertiser, Government has the right to choose where to advertise its products for maximum returns on its investment. However, as the biggest advertiser and guarantor of media development and press freedom in Malawi, the Government should be the last to withdraw advertisement from any media house because that will have a negative impact on in the long run.”

JUMA also noted that when parliament froze funding to the state radio MBC and Television Malawi, they cried foul, because the two institutions serve the public more than they serve politicians or political parties.

The union also reminded the Minister of Information there is a professional media complaints body in Malawi, the Media Council of Malawi (www.mediacouncilmalawi.org), whose mandate is to regulate all media behaviour, including perceived bias and the flouting of ethics.

“You may recall, Honourable Minister, that last year the Malawi Government reported the online publication, Nyasa Times, to the same Media Council of Malawi and issues were dealt with amicably,” said the petition.

“Since then, Honourable Minister, Nyasa Times has changed the way it handles national issues. It was a win-win result for the Government and the media.”

Juma urged government to follow the same dialogic avenue so that any media house that does not follow ethics and standards of journalism should be exposed, shamed or otherwise corrected through the said Media Council and not through withdrawal of government advertisement.

The union implored government to seriously consider rescinding its decision because advertising is the life blood of every vibrant private media institution.

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