Malawi govt mends fence with Zodiak: Kazako says table Information Bill

Minister of InformatIon Jappie Mhango has assured Private electronic media group, Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS)  journalists that the government will never shut them up in the course of gathering and airing news.

Mhango said this Wednesday when he visited Zodiak station in the capital Lilongwe.

This assurance comes barely days after State House press officer Gerald Viola did not invite journalists to attend a news conference by President Peter Mutharika on his tour of duty from Malta, London and South Africa.

Viola was punishing the station for its journalist Teresa Ndanga who grabbed a microphone and asked Mutharika needful questions.

Mhango told Zodiak managing director Gospel Kazako and his management team to forget the past and forge on with the new relationship with the government.

“Actually I have been sent by the principal (President Mutharika) to say this,” said Mhango assuring the radio of freedom of the media.

He however reminded them that freedom of the media and expression comes with responsibility.

The minister then asked the journalists to be professional and ethical all the time.

In his remarks, Kazako asked the government to table the Access to Information bill.

“The bill is not targeting the DPP government only, it is for all the governments to come. This bill is not for opposition neither its for all Malawians. You are in government today, tomorrow you are out, we have seen this,” he said.

Kazako said the law will make leaders accountable to the people who voted the leaders into power.

Mhango assured the nation that the bill will be passed into law.

Donors gave the government an ultimatum of up to Thursday, December 31 to pass the Access to information bill into law or risk donor aid freeze.

Mutharika hit back saying he does not take ultimatums.