Malawi regulator again summons Kasakula, Brian Banda over ‘Hot Current’ truth telling show on Times TV

Broadcasting regulators, Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra)  continues to pursue its plans to ban media giant Times Group from  showing on Times TV  a television talk show ‘Hot Current’ on Times TV which is gaining popularity in Malawi as following the ‘truth telling’ discussion which is hosted by marverick broadcaster Brian Banda.

The program which is featuring Times Group Editor-in-Chief George Kasakula is showing brave and substantive journalistic endeavours (often at great personal risk) and discussing matters of current which are hitting headlines, taking government into task on accountability and corruption.

Macra has agains summoned Kasakula and Banda  to appear before the board on Friday  in Blantyre  as they stand  accused of describing President Peter Mutharika of practising nepotism during the recent program.

According to a letter leaked from Macra  summoning the journalists signed by its Director General Godfrey Itaye dated 27 June 2017, state that Kasakula,  who is one of DPP-led government’s  most acerbic critics,   did not make “honest expression of opinion” when he heaped blame on the  Peter Mutharika administration for the socio-economic woes facing the country.

Macra views the remarks by Kasakula that the incompetence of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government is so telling that it can be felt, “was not made  in good faith.”

The regulator also faults ‘Hot Current’ for accusing DPP administration of nepotism, corruption and arrogant.

It also accuses Times of waging “media war” when it criticised during the ‘Hot Current’ the tax-funded  Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), saying it is on the dangerous path.

Kasakula claimed BC workers  are  “propping up a regime that has let down Malawians.”

Hot Current program is showing brave and substantive journalistic endeavours (often at great personal risk) and discussing matters of current which are hitting headlines, taking government into task on accountability and corruption.

Kasakula is also attracting wrath of those wielding power recklessly, even criminally, with complete impunity and unaccountability as he is putting them on spot with his no holds barred critique.

The  program is also shared on YouTube.