MBC told to open up to opposition: Minister Mussa says public broadcaster should be credible

Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Henry Mussa, has taken on the public  broadcaster, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), encouraging it to open up to opposition candidates and electoral stakeholders especially as the county heads towards the May 21 Tripartite Elections.

Mussa with MBC management when he visited the Broadcasting House
Mussa: MBC has to keep listenership for the radio and viewership for the TV with balanced information

Mussa h reassured the general public that the MBC will remain open to serve all Malawians in accordance to its mandate as a public broadcaster and will not be announcing one-sided issues.

The minister who doubles as government spokesman made the commitment Wednesday when he visited the public broadcaster in Blantyre.

“I have appealed to MBC as a public broadcaster to rise above petty party politics and serve the nation sincerely in a professional and accountable manner,” said Mussa.

He said with the advent of social media where “fake news” trend more with sensational  issues which are not accurate and balanced, the nation depends on the public broadcaster as a credible source of information.

“I have also asked MBC to share content of national interest with other media houses so that the entire nation is equally informed and educated on matters of national importance,” said Mussa.

In response, MBC Director General, Aubrey Sumbuleta, said that MBC provide fair coverage to all players in the forthcoming tripartite elections.

Governance commentator Makhumbo Munthali said the MBC should be opening up to alternative views beyond the ruling party.

He said it is important for any democracy to allow plurality of views and information, especially this election year, so that people make informed decisions.

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa said in an interview on Sunday the commission cannot force MBC to open up until March 19 when the official campaign period starts and ends on May 19.

“We can only force them once the campaign period officially starts and that is on 19 March,” said Mwafulirwa.

But constitutional lawyer Associate Professor Edge Kanyongolo says MBC is required by law to open up to all political parties not only during elections.

“If MBC does not open up, they are infringing the law and this will catch up with them in future,” said Kanyongolo.

Rights activists state that  it is vital for the MEC to reassure candidates and voters that the presidential, national assembly and local council elections will be free and fair, and that the new government will be legitimately elected.

This will be Malawi’s sixth  democratic election.

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Gas Machine Head
Gas Machine Head
5 years ago

Who still listens to or watches this crap called MBC? We forgot about it multiple years ago. Times and ZBS are there for us. We also have MIJ FM. That’s where we spend our time not the useless MBC. Useless since 1994.
Its embarrassing to work for MBC I am pretty sure of that!

Mwinithengo Azidya Papakulu
Mwinithengo Azidya Papakulu
5 years ago

TAKE YOUR DPP BROADCASTING COORPORATIONS BECUASE WE HAVE TIMES TV ,ZODIAK TV,The so called mbc is small and low viewrship and listeniship becuase of its foolishness.We barried mbc yaers back and dont need it.Keep it to your fmilies.ZIKOMO BWANA MANDEBVU.

Chilungamo
Chilungamo
5 years ago

A DPP adziwa mochedwa kuti amadzimvetsera OKHA ndi ma BANJA AWO. This is a mere bated attempt for DPP propaganda targeting opposition audiences/ constituencies. DPP is merely trying to sell itself to a huge audience it has realised stopped listening to its disgustingly biased channels way back.

President Mkango Lion Manthakanjenjemereza
President Mkango Lion Manthakanjenjemereza
5 years ago

We are tired by Govt propagandas, not to add the opposition will be worse. We need entertaining Malawian content that if someone comes from outside the country will appreciate Malawian content.

Bwana
Bwana
5 years ago

We have heard this useless empty promises from many other information ministers before but nothing changes. At least we have alternatives now, we don’t care about MBC.

che nnungu
5 years ago

Tinasiya kalekale kunvela dzimenedzo. Stupid

amalawi anatopa ndikunamizidwa
amalawi anatopa ndikunamizidwa
5 years ago

a MBC akati awonetsa nkhani zazipani zina ndiye kuti zimakhala zamikangano yazipani zinazo anakangoisintha dzina basi ikhale DPP TV osati kumatiphimba mmaso apa ndlama zamisonkho ya amalawi koma mumaonetsela mbali

Central
Central
5 years ago

Powerless Minister …………………………………!! Why has the Minister opted for the term appeal than direct? This shows DG is more powerful than Minister……. because mostly juniors need to appeal to bosses and bosses normally direct!! Shame on Musa for displaying this openly! Kupana mchila madala pamaso pa mwana? sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, koma ziliko ku dpp

banker
5 years ago

Kunja kuli radio MBC, niwalako ku vela. Shame for bias public broadcasting

Kumzy
Kumzy
5 years ago

Even if they don’t open up with have other options let them continue with government propaganda

guy jobo
guy jobo
5 years ago
Reply to  Kumzy

Its not even govt propaganda but party propaganda.the management attire reflects where they belong.

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