MCP says state broadcaster MBC favouring ruling DPP

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) MP for Lilongwe Msozi South, Vitus Dzoole Mwale has told parliament that he state-run Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) remains biased.

Mwale said the tax run MBC is favouring the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in its coverage.

“We can see the way they handle issues or events. For example, there was a wedding ceremony at Senior Chief Chadza where the Leader of Opposition, Right Honourable Dr Lazarus Chakwera, the State President and other dignitaries, including the Chewa King, were in attendance.

“However, I was astonished, horrified and flabbergasted to see a blackout on the Leader of Opposition, nothing was seen [on television]. The question centre on when is this institution, MBC, going to be freed so that the tax payers of this country enjoy their money,” said Mwale.

Politicians in power have all along abuse the state broadcaster which has the widest reach.

Since the re-introduction of multiparty democracy in Malawi in 1994, there has always been an outcry that successive governments have abused the publicly-funded MBC.

Opposition figures only appear on state radio or television in unflattering stories like court appearances.

The Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture, Kondwani Nankhumwa said the DPP-led government is “doing everything possible” to bring in the House the related pieces of legislation that would end up freeing MBC.

“ In the interim, Mr Speaker, Sir, government has encouraged MBC to exercise its own editorial independence,” said Nankhumwa.

He claimed that government has no time to dictate to MBC on its editorial independence.

“We have left each and everything in their hands to work professionally, ethically and in a way that would interest or satisfy members of the general public than being biased towards one side,” he said.

The government spokesman said the DPP will soon table the amended Communications Act of 1998 that will guide us diligently on how MBC will proceed and other related agencies .