MBC commits to change news bulletin: Hope Chisanu, Maseya, Chinkhwende ‘warehoused’
Public broadcaster, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), highly considered as a mouth piece for former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has committed to changing the face of its bulletins, saying no news source is barred from featuring on its platforms.
This commitment, according to internal communication Nyasa Times has seen between news management and the reporters, follows a new policy direction the Minister of Information, Gospel Kazako has given the public broadcaster.
The communication also discourages dominating the bulletins with ministerial stories.
MBC has since advised it’s staff to engage extra gear in being creative by coming up with story ideas or topical issues that that will be featuring comments from experts.
“Let us also endeavor to do more human interesting stories. We can get a number of expert comments on a specific topic.
“We have equally been advised against bias. Let’s strive to balance our stories and when writing let us not be seen to be tailing a line. Let’s be independent and impartial.
“No news source has been barred from featuring on our platforms, therefore let us reach out to whoever has to be heard in the story. This will call for us to work extra harder,” reads the communication in part.
Recently, Kazako visited MBC – where he worked as a broadcaster for a long time – and reprimanded members of staff for not serving the interests of Malawians.
He pledged to ‘sanitize’ MBC and challenged the staff members to prove that they can do better.
Kazako assured them that the sanitization process will not be aimed at eliminating workers affiliated to the DPP, but rather using merit.
However, a week after Kazako’s tour of MBC, it was directed (directive believed to be from above) that Greyson Chapita, Steven Maseya, Noel Chimkwende, Hope Chisanu, Henry Haukeya, Marie Segula, Barbra Mwandira should not been seen or heard on any of the MBC platforms, mainly MBC TV and Radio.
Commentators argue that MBC needs complete overhaul and new management.
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MBC has guiding policies but they choose to forego them and serve political directives. Thes members of staff are just used within the propaganda scheme and of course a little of dyera on their part. Let MBC fish out its dusted policy documents and start following them…parties come and go…they must also revise their recruitment policies..kumeneku nde kumachoka ana anjoka…
Poor kazako. These people who are being victimized worked under directives. Don’t cheat the citizenry that MBC will change. The only thing you should have done is to make them change but not make them vanish. Don’t expect that you can create 1 million jobs by hiring and firing. Not every program by these people was in support of the former regime. Is reach out and touch a DPP thing? I have just singled out one.
These were not part of one million jobs talked about.
MBC is unnecessary and obsolete. It should get terminated and scrapped. Malawi government doesn’t need a state media house!
Osangowachontsa bwanji? Anatikwana kale amenewa
Athemule amenewo. Avine perete
It means we have the same old song. “Directive from above”. When shall we see real change? Why does change of govt leads to changes in various parastals including mbc? Why should these people not to be seen or heard on mbc? Is it about kubwezera? Who spoils these people? Are they not you, politicians? Why should the authorities not come out clear and tell Malawians why they dont want some mbc staff becoz they are affiliated to opposition parties? Malawi will never change. The same old song.
That’s true bro
Dyera la ndalama
Gospel is probably the worst minister to have ever headed the ministry of information. If Chakwera is not careful it is such misfits who are going to destroy his government. Bottoman was somehow good compared to this street journalist. Owning a radio does not qualify him for such important national job. He is wasting our time reminding us about the past yet we live in the present and are going into the future. Though Kunkuyu sometimes gets taken away but he is much better and composed than this rascal
Let them pay for their did they were thinking that they are on top of world
Just demolish everything and George Kasakula to revitalize it otherwise I’ll continue not watching it
Yes