MBC freed from political bondage – Malawi Minister
Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture, Kondwani Nankhumwa has assured the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation of editorial independence and non-interference from government in its day to day work.
Nnakhumwa said this Monday when he visited MBC’s Kwacha television studios and the broadcasting house at Chichiri in Blantyre.
Said Nankhumwa: “I would like to assure that you that neither I, nor anyone from the Ministry or Government will come to interfere with MBC’s editorial independence and professionalism. If you fail, I don’t want you to blame me, the PS or Government. You will have failed because you wanted to. Government will give you space to function without any interference.”
Nankhumwa who was visiting MBC as part of his familiarsation tour of institutions under his ministry, said government’s commitment to see MBC operating in a professional manner.
He said government will make sure this is followed by making sure legislation to back it up is passed in Parliament in the form of the Access to Information Bill and the Communications Bill, 2014.
.The point of the Access to Information Bill is to support a dynamic society, which has the promotion of information and accountability as a key enabler for development.
MBC which is a public broadcaster has in the past being accused of favouring ruling parties in its coverage with roundly ignoring opposing voices.
Too many successive governments have restricted and frustrated the capable journalists, editors and producers at MBC from delivering balanced coverage and debate.
Nankhumwa concluded his statement by calling on MBC to remain professional and ‘above the fray of partisan politics and cheap fame at the expense of quality and professionalism.’
MBC Director General, Benson Tembo and his management team appealed for government support in modernizing MBC through support for procuring state of the art equipment and improving their studios.
Tembo said for MBC to remain competitive and serve the nation well, it required maximum support from government in provision of new equipment and studios that he described as ‘obsolete and makeshift at most.’
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yes, i can understand you stupid minister, mbc is now indeed free from bondage now that you have managed to infiltrate your own mlakho thugs in the system. thank you very very very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Minister is lying. MBC has now become very dull under DPP govt. The Good Morning TV programme is full of people advertising their goods and religious services. When you see someone appearing on MBC TV you know he is going to utter something in support of DPP govt. Ngati ndikumana allow me to be featured criticising some of the DPP govt policies.
This is not true. Where in Africa is a public broadcaster free from govt. interferance? Are we about to make history? The minister is just saying what his predecessors said before. Did we see any change. The minister should just listen to Mr Benson Tembo’s plea for govt. assistance. We don’t care about MBC’s political leanings. We have enough media alternatives. Big up Mr Nankhumwa for lip service.
Same old story, why not put it in writing or in policy form that we can always refer to it. Verbal assurances are just rhetoric , the former Ministers said almost very same words, but what has been happening? So stop fooling us, we know your tricks you politicians.
What about those you moved from news casting? We are not children,now that you have DPP in MBC you say they have freedom. Freedom my foot.
MBC was only free when JB allowed it to do so. Now it has become a family broadcaster which i rarely watch once quartely. U switch to it u just see Peter, Getrude, minister, regional governor etc. No time for that. Open MBC to level of BBC then we can enjoy watching & listening MBC
What has changed? MBC has NEVER been professional. Look @ programming and news content. Are they not pro-govt?
Tembo is just toeing govt line to keep his job. Why did DPP appoint Aubrey Sumbuleta and Brian Mungomo when they very under qualified. Both of them don’t have even a diploma in communication or journalism. Tembo is just a figurehead. He fears these DPP spies! Have u heard MBC covering people calling for federal state? Yet this is international news.
What has changed? MBC has NEVER been professional. Look @ programming and news content. Are they not pro-govt?
Tembo is just toeing govt line to keep his job. Why did DPP appoint Aubrey Sumbuleta and Brian Mungomo when they very under qualified. Both of them don’t have even a diploma in communication or journalism. Tembo is just a figurehead. He fears these DPP spies!
That will not happen if what Mr Blantyre and Aubrey Simbuleta are doing is anythng to go by. Atenga MBC ngati inachokera pa amawo!
WE are not kids, the minister is fooling himself. There is no way he can talk of independence when he has already planted his party sympathisers at the station including and through the deputy director general. The station was free during Joyce Banda administration but DPP discriminated all neutral people and promote their party dogs. We are not worried because we stopped listening news to MBC some three months ago.