Macra faulted for interference with Chilima live TV broadcast: Malawi veep speech ‘nothing treasonous’
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has been faulted for stopping private broadcasters from beaming live an address by the country’s estranged Vice-President Saulos Chilima.
Macra interfered with Times Media, Zodiak Broadcasting Station and Luntha Television against broadcasting the speech by Chilima and there was loss of television signals during the live address.
Legal experts have said Macra violated Section 36 of the Constitution which guarantees the media “the right to report and publish freely, within Malawi and abroad, and to be accorded the fullest possible facilities for access to public information.”
In its editorial comment on Tuesday April 28, 2020 , the leading daily newspaper The Nation said Macra – which is led by Godfrey Itaye – should act as a the regulator it is supposed t be and serve the best interest of Malawians to whom the institution is accountable .
“It [Macra] should desist from being used as a political weapon to thwart alternative views. The institution is not anybody’s political or personal estate – it is a public entity,” reads the comment in part.
The paper’s editorial also reminded people holding public offices that they do so “on trust” as stated in Section 12 (ii) of the Constitution, hence they “shall only exercise such power to the extent of their lawful authority and in accordance with their responsibilities to the people of Malawi.”
University of Malawi dean of law Sunduzwayo Madise also said in quotes reported by the paper that Macra and other public institutions should rise above petty partisan politicking, saying as a regulator “they are abusing their powers.”
In his address, the vice-president only outlined facts on critical issues affecting the country, the paper pointed out.
“There was nothing treasonous, seditious or obscene in the address. Thus, one tends to wonder what the fuss was all about and the proverb ‘An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned’ quickly comes to mind,” reads the editorial.
Chilima has dared President Peter Mutharika to demonstrate leadership in the fight against the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic bringing on board all stakeholders to be part of an inclusive national response.
In a 10-paged address titled Remarks by the Right Honourable State Vice- President of the Republic of Malawi on the National Situation and Response to Covid-19, he said to win the fight against the pandemic it is important that the response should be owned by the nation.
The Vice-President, who fell out with President Peter Mutharika and quit the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in June 2018 to form UTM Party and challenged his political mentor in the disputed May 21 2019 presidential election, is also set to be on the presidential ballot paper during the forthcoming fresh presidential polls.
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Well done MACRA. We are fed up of this embicile. Let Chilima shut his rotten mouth
Was he delegated by his boss? No. Was he speaking as a utm chairman? Yes
Uzitha ufumu wa china Nebuchadnezzar ndiye DPP pali chiani, it’s just a matter of time.God is great always.The one and only who knows the blue print of politics and its future leaders. Thank you Lord.
Nyekhweism
Bravo MACRA. Do it again when this baby chilima shall open his loud mouth again to speak in the name of VP as long as he is not delegated by the President.
But give him airspace if he wants to speak as a UTM leader. Simple!!!!
He is STATE VICE PRESIDENT and MACRA is for ALL malawians and not just for old NTCHONA and his dirty party.
@Mangochi
Vice prsident sagwila ntchito ngat sanatumidwe coz kulibe JD ya Vice president.ask Chilima he knows that very well.apa amalankhula ngat UTM president
Is it Macras fault Nyani anagwetsa switch??Plus Chilima was speaking mbwelera anyway.
Macra will not stop, everybody knows that. It has masters to serve. Until you take them to Court for redress, they will continue on the perilous terrain. No more talk, broadcasters must come together and drag Macra to Court. Simple.
It was good n perfect that he was not aired. He is a veep on paper but on the groud he is a traitor to the very government he was supposed to serve.
Why is it that every time government come up with a measure he is quick to find problem with it.
His ultimate intention is to bring the government on its knees so that. He is supporting hrdc in its quest to thwart each and every government effort.
His national adress was nothing more than a political tool to further his own agenda
Now Malawi is becoming DPP estate.But don’t forget one is one day.
Yes, so what
their days r numbered
One day is one day but not today. APM pachiongolero
Chilima’s speech was treasonous
Can someone tell Chilima that he is a VP. He is overstepping his position.
What does VP supposed to do then?, especially when you’ve got a brain dead so called president.
Well and good. We are fed up with Chilima’s constant attempts to show as if he is in charge. He is not. He is a VP and constitutionally his duties are delegated. He is now too much into our faces.
U r so jealous of chilimatupid man
chonena ife tilibe
Chilima is the vice president of the country by consititution and APM is on the driving seat so by virtue of being a vice he cannot critise what his boss has said openly if anything he is supposed to go privately and discuss issues and if not accorded the same then he has no other option but to keep quiet. We have always said that if he would like to serve better and pursue his political agenda well in terms of criticizing the govt then he must resign thats all. If you remember the BBC reporter asked how could he blame govt of corruption yet him is part of that govt by being the VP. So Macra is not wrong bcoz that brings confusion to malawians. Look at what he said as regards corona. Kodi dzana kunali ebola and govt did everything possible to put mitigative measures why did opposition parties ask govt to include them in the fight against ebola? Why only today with covid issue? Pamene i can only give credit to him its where he admitted that there is covid19 as political leaders lets accept there is this pandemic bcoz followers respect their leaders. Govt is not lying that there is covid19 in malawi on the pretext that it would like to rig votes. There are many where elections are also to be held and have put on halt all the processes so that together they fight this deadly disease and there are no issues like the ruling parties in thise countries are to rig elections; why in malawi everything is just politiczed? Eeee koma Mulungu akuyendereni mwapaderadera anthu woterenu ndithu!
mwina amafuna ngeme kapena beni phili alankhule
MACRA is infested with DPP & UDF cadets. Once new govt. comes in a clean up exercise should be carried out!!! period.
It’s amazing you think the 2million something Mcp And Utm supporters are comedians. That only Dpp and udf people work for government. Use your brain before you write trash.
The Army, MACRA, Police, MEC are now instruments of this government used to destroy our democracy. They will make sure that DPP remains in power at any cost
A itaye lero mukutizonza. Mwaiwala pa interview ya postal service manager mutavala ka jacket ka brown ka codral, komwe mutayamba ntchito ku macra munakavala for 6 months osakapumitsa. Mpaka ma staff anzanu kukuoatsani dzina a codral. Xul nso mulibe mukufuna tiulure zambiri. Lero mwaliwa dpp mutaba mokwanira ndi apongozi anu a kaliyoni
DPP Shall continue to make history as the worst party which came out of crisis and will end with crisis because those who formed it have been big crooks. How can you interfere with private stations? To force us to watch Mutharika Broadcasting Station? Never, we cant believe in those lied. One day , you shall know what it means to be a president. Soon we will have a real president of the country not a tribal president dividing the country
It was the same with the crocodile party for 31 years and only if you were born after 1994 or 6 years prior to 1994, you don’t know what it means to suffer. We are much much better today than we were under MCP and Kamuzu.
Shameful behaviour Itaye!!!!
What do you expect from MACRA? they people working at MACRA worship DPP at the expense of taxpayers money. They operate as DPP operatives. there in need for a thorough sweep at MACRA once the heavens smile on Malawi.