Court to the rescue again: Allows Times to switch on TV, Radio and Malawi News to publish

The High Court has allowed an injunction sought by media giant Times Group allowing  the  privately owned news  organisation to resume publishing and broadcasting after Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) shut it down.

MRA sealed Times Group offices in Blantyre on Friday over tax arrears the media group owes government.

But the news organisation through its lawyer Patrick Mpaka rushed to court to seek interim relief.

Judge James Chagona granted  Times Group, which often has been critical of President Peter Mutharika, could resume operations pending  further proceedings from the court.

The order restrains MRA from shutting down the media giant, Mpaka confirmed to Nyasa Times.

Still out

One of the titles for Times Group, the Malawi News will still hit the streets on Saturday, Nyasa Times understands.

The news organisation claims it is   aware of plans by government to shut ist operations using the MRA.

Acticists have said Malawiasn should not allow the selfish and evil motive by a few disgruntled government officials to annihilate the news compnay which has proved to be a beacon of democracy and freedom of expression in the country.

They argue that President Peter Mutharika has all the government media, MBC  television and radio stations to himself, including some private media houses hence should live Times alone as it is only paper accommodating the opposition and being critical of the administration.

“Let  corrupt mafias in government know that the Malawi Revenue Authority is not a branch of the Democratic Progressive Party which they can shamelessly abuse in this manner,” posted one Nyasa Times reader on comments section.