Macra rebuffs MCP over MBC’s  propaganda programs

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has thrown away a complaint by opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) against biased reporting and programming telling the party to go to the broadcaster and not the regulator.

MBC is turned into a propaganda broadcaster

MCP wrote Macra on February 1, 2018 complaining against what it perceives as biased reporting and programming by MBC.

“Reference is made to your letter dated 1st February, 2018 in which you have complained to the Authority about Malawi Broadcasting Corporation’s conduct. In the letter you have specifically mentioned programmes such as Sapita Kawiri, Chindunji, Manifesto Yanu and Ndikati Chete which you perceive to be biased against your political party,” reads the letter from Macra dated February 15, 2018 and signed by its director general, Godfrey Itaye.

The letter adds: “As a matter of practice, complainants in regard to communication services are advised to lodge their complaints with the communication service provider first before referring the matter to the Authority. This allows for quick redress of the matter and prevents the Authority from being overburdened with matters that can easily be resolved at service provider level. We would therefore urge you to lodge your complaint with MBC as well on the matter.”

Macra further tells MCP that its complaint is “very general” and advises the party to state specific dates and times of the broadcasts that it is complaining about “so that we can focus on those broadcasts.”

The party is further challenged to state the actual content that is the bone of contention.

“Further, state the actual content in the programs that you believe is in conflict with MBC’s obligations under the Communications Act. This will assist us narrow down the issues and assist in quick resolution of the matter.”

Macra also schools MCP on its role.

“The Authority would like to advise that contrary to your assertions, it monitors all broadcasters, including MBC in check. Apart from summoning private broadcasters, the Authority has on several occasions summoned MBC on its broadcasting conditions under the Communications Act and its license,” concludes the letter.

MCP was not available for comment.

The party also brought the same complaint in Parliament on Thursday which attracted no debate from the House even from the party itself.

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Becks
Becks
6 years ago

This is how deep the filthy and adorous the wound called DPP government has become. Shame that even leaderships in regulators are drunk of boot licking.

Tenzi Mzungu
Tenzi Mzungu
6 years ago

The only thing I like about DPP is that it is composed of real men.They don’t complain. They won the elections whilst in opposition. They didn’t push for 50+1. They didn’t lodge any complaint to MACRA. What they did was to contest and win the election period. Many people tried to deny them victory by being unconstitutional and fabricate lies to make the elections not credible even went to the radio to demand re elections. What they did was what men do just seek opinion of the court. They didn’t complain when the judge who was supposed to make ruling… Read more »

LEGO
6 years ago
Reply to  Tenzi Mzungu

I think your mind is so shallow.By the way do you understand or know if they say 50+1%?All they are trying to say is,they don’t want a president voted into office by minority but majority of the people.Why is your Party refusing a 50+1 if they are real democratic?We are not in the stone age but in the modern world where majority rule not minority.Thus why you see this kind of nepotism,regionalism and tribalism in the cabinet because of the minority.So in short if you know nothing about politics you better shut up your big mouth.Besides all these,i don’t belong… Read more »

santana
santana
6 years ago

MCP knows that all the things which it hid for 31 years will now be exposed for every Malawian to see. The programs MCP has mentioned are the ones which will really cause diarrhea to Chakwera. We know now that these programs shake your nerves. There will be more fire now. Even from the press conference the MPs from the North conducted yesterday MCP could feel that there is more to come. And it is the same MBC which the Kachales will use to bash this party of death and darkness. MCP should not cry now because it is too… Read more »

Nyophani
Nyophani
6 years ago
Reply to  santana

But those things you are talking about were not done by Dr Chakwera, but by the Mafias who are holding senior positions in DDP.

LEGO
6 years ago
Reply to  santana

At first i thought you are smart and intelligent but now i have come to understand that you are useless.

che nnungu
6 years ago

Tangoyambanipo propaganda nanunso pa Times TV anyela a DPP.

Comrade
6 years ago

DPP lost 1 – 5 to MCP with their MBC radio akutukwana kwambiri koma sizinathandize, pano a Malawi anachangamuka komanso ambiri samvera radio imeneyi ya Dpp——- MCP osadanda!!!!!!

Khuluwani
Khuluwani
6 years ago

What did u expect itaye say? His social and economic life depends on dpp being in power. Its good that mcp made formal complaint for history. We will tell our children how dpp through mbc abused malawians of mcp party.

Nostradamas
Nostradamas
6 years ago

ASIYENI TITHANANAWO 2019 SIPATALI KKKKKK ZA MBC ANTHU AMBIRI TINASIYA KUMVERA KALEKALE WAILESI YA ALOMWE IYI.

@ Nachisale
@ Nachisale
6 years ago

Macra is one entity that makes Malawians hate their own country . It is simply so stupid. Can you tell us in the face that DPP first wrote Zodiak to complain about bad reporting before they wrote you?. Macra is a state entity and not DPP entity. Why can’t for once you fools at macra understand this simple fact?. Governments change and you shall be the very same people crying that you are being victimized. Posterity will judge you.

Martin
Martin
6 years ago
Reply to  @ Nachisale

Nachisale, no matter how hard, how long, how stressing, how difficult it might be things will change, governments will always change but people who suffers in the hands of others will always be there. One thing that the next government other than dpp takes over ; believe me- it might not be today or next year but dpp will be out of power- then these people at macra and mbc should be punished badly even if they will call it witch-hunt because sometimes witches like Itaye need to be hunted.

dinky
dinky
6 years ago

A MACRA KUIKIRA KUMBUYO MBC PAJA NDINU AMODZI KOMA MUKAPITILIZA KUIBAKIRA mcp ikazabwezera musazalire chokweza nanga inu mumawaitaniranji a china brian banda ndi geaorge kasakula pa programme ya hot current kumeneko ndiye kukondera tu

chimanga
chimanga
6 years ago

A Itaye kuyesa kuti akabakila MBC ndiye kuti kufufuza zakuba kwao kuja zitha!!! Adabwa

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