MACRA funding DPP’s propaganda sheet: Minister ‘cashgates’ $10,000 

Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) is bankrolling a propaganda tabloid established by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) topleadership called, The Globe which is a hub of smear for political competitors and government critics.

Macra sources told Nyasa Times that they have been regularising some payments to cashgate for the publications project.

“There have been projects lined up for Macra to pay in disguise in order to channel money for the  DPP’s propaganda,” said a source at the regulator.

The source added that Macra recently paid oyt $10,000 to a cabinet ministers  as an allowance for a foreign trip which the minister did not travel.

“There are a lot of financial abuses at Macra for purposes of funding DPP activities.”

Macra spokesperson was coy to comment for fear of political reprisals.

The Globe is the brainchild of Minister of Labour and manpower development Henry Mussa, Minister of Local Government Kondwani Nankhumwa and DPP parliamentarian Noel Masangwi.

Masangwi and Nankhumwa previously had owned their propaganda publications which they all folded up.

But the new weekly paper which sells to around 5,000 people in the country will try to penetrate on the already volatile newspaper market with introduction cover price slightly cheaper than the credible two titles Daily Times and The Nation.

The paper’s editor said  the Globe is “an exciting new project” for the DPP.

As its editor says, the Globe plainly hopes to influence  ‘some audience’ on politics without the serious bits – and without the journalism that informs a reading public.

Observers said news publications  ould still disseminate their opinions so long as it was clearly separate and labelled such, not news.

A media consultant said :“No one wants a propaganda newspaper with little editorial investment behind it,” adding “A paper or news brand that no one wants is worthless.”

Of course, readers and advertisers  want quality and originality.

Malawi newspaper buying culture is dwindling with the growing  internet penetration as there now many digital-only publications that include Nyasa Times, Malawi24, Malawi Punch , Malawi NewNow, Maravi Post, , Malawi Voice, as well online sites of the  print editions

The online-only papers have also been using social media platforms to reach out to many readers.