Of Mithi, Brian Banda and trappings of technology: Seodi’s un-reformist stance against Malawi media
Last week was one of the worst moments in the history of Malawi media industry. Versatile television presenter Brian Banda of the Hot Current fame was slapped with an indefinite suspension from work for alleged insubordination at Times TV. He reportedly refused to take orders from his seniors.
News of Brian Banda’s suspension spread like wildfire. Many Malawians took to the social media to either sympathize with him or poke fun at him.
Love him or loathe him, Brian Banda is an extremely talented journalist. His famous ‘Hot Current’ programme on Times TV has been growing popular by the day and attracting a considerably huge viewership. Therefore, word about his suspension came as a shock to many people who never expected management of Times Media Group to take such a bold and decisive step against the ‘darling’ of the people.
They say no one is indispensable. Times Group management may have only been attempting to save the image of the larger establishment than massage the ego of one alleged insubordinate employee.
Whether or not Brian Banda was in the wrong is neither here nor there. What is of great interest to me, and I suppose to many Malawians too, is the unfortunate events that followed the ‘famous’ suspension of Brian Banda.
When rumours made rounds, particularly on the social media, about the suspension, a curious man and ardent fanatic of local politics, Julius Mithi from Mzuzu called Innocent Chitosi, one of the editors at Times, to confirm if this was indeed true.
True to his name, the editor ‘innocently’ confirmed about the suspension and generously divulged the reasons that led to Brian’s fate, which included alleged corruption or what is commonly known as ‘cheque-book’ or ‘envelopment’ journalism in the media circles.
Innocent Chitosi also told Julius Mithi how incompetent his immediate boss, George Kasakula, is and that it is the ‘institution’ that adds some value to him and not the other way round, as it were. Little did Chitosi know that Mithi, his purported friend, was recording the phone conversation for ulterior motives.
Julius Mithi also spoke with Brian Banda, himself, and also recorded their conversation, for ulterior motives. Innocently, Banda confirmed about his suspension but blamed it on politics, claiming some of his immediate bosses forced him to use his television programme to advance the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) agenda.
Audio clips of the recorded phone conversations were soon to go vile on the social media. The worst victim of Julius Mithi’s ulterior motives was Innocent Chitosi. Times Group could not stand it; an employee discussing internal corporate matters with a dyed-in-the-wool political fanatic. They slapped Innocent Chitosi with a suspension pending disciplinary proceedings, which would determine his future at Malawi’s giant media group.
Chitosi decided to confide in a friend, innocently. Little did he know he was digging his own grave. Mr. Mithi must be ashamed of his disgusting act of betrayal. The world cannot be a better place to live in with the likes of Julius Mithi in it.
As a fellow journalist, I have worked and collaborated with Innocent Chitosi for decades. I sincerely sympathize with him for the loss of job and reputation occasioned by someone he thought was a true friend.
One of Hamlet’s ‘character quotes’ goes like, “A small element of evil can corrupt an otherwise virtuous individual”. Innocent Chitosi has always been a nice buddy; ever smiling and; at most, professional. Innocent has been a virtuous individual marred by his own selflessness; indeed, that desire to please a friend-an innocent flower…but be the serpent under it.
Seodi’s un-reformist stance against media
The media has been described as the fourth estate of the realm and watchdog of the society. According to media scholars, the watchdog concept, according to which the media is expected to monitor the activities of government, is one of the oldest beliefs in the practice of journalism.
The role of the media as a watchdog that will put government in check was reputedly coined by Edmund Burke in late 18th century in England to refer to the political power possessed by the press of that time. According to Burke, the press was at the same level with the other three estates of power in the British realm namely Lords, Church and Commons.
As elsewhere in the world, the media in Malawi has an obligation to expose abuse of state authority and protect the democratic and constitutional rights of the citizens.
The republican constitution implicitly says that those in power do so on trust of the people of Malawi. The people of Malawi have the right to know how that power is exercised, according to the dictates of the law.
In pursuing its watchdog role, the media in Malawi shall strive to report accurately, whether issues raised please one Seodi White or not. It is our noble responsibility and our proud calling.
So, I wish to join all well-meaning Malawians in condemning the undemocratic conduct of Public Service Reforms Director, Seodi White for chasing journalists from a sectoral conference on the implementation of public service reforms on Wednesday at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe.
White is a public servant. A rights activist herself, White ought to serve the people of Malawi. Malawians deserve better than her arrogance and impunity.
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Brian was not respecting the elders and I think people were fasting for his removal at the times group,next time he should learn to have respect.to my beloved INNO,sorry for being betrayed,God is the best judge,my prayer that you be reinstated.
Mr. Brian Banda you should learn a reason now stop talking as if there’s no tomorrow, you used to bring shame on various political leaders as if you were an angel……. you climbed high like an Eagle and you did forgot that there’s God ……… the Bible says if you humble yourself God will rise you up but if you rise up yourself He will bring you down.
If feel so sorry for you …. Mr. Brian Banda shame!!!!!!!!!!!! Ili ndi dziko liyanja lichero musiye kutumbwa pa kanema!!!
I really do sympathise with innocent chitosi for being a victim of trust which eventually lead him to loss of his job.
This should be a lesson to many of us. As bible clearly says – ” trust not the hand of a man nor put trust in a fellow being”.
What Mr Mithi did is evil at its highest level. Such behaviour shouldn’t be tolerated at all costs….. Mithi you are the biggest Judas than Judas himself.
When “M” called “C” and later “B”, the impression was that “M” was merely seeking a balance of opinion on the matter. But the recording of the conversions between him and “C” and then “B” raised an alarm. “C” and “B” should have jealously guarded their answers as they were playing in the hands of “M”. However, media people have a duty to speak out and condemn those of their colleagues who step out of line before their bad professionalism spreads to the whole ‘family’ of journalists. Malawian journalism should have an in–built self–correcting mechanism that facilitates counseling one another.… Read more »
Malawians hav become so evil why private issues go public. Mithi you are more evil than a devil himself and you dont deserve to see the sun
mtundu wathuwu ndioipa!!! ayao,alomwe,achewa sangapange zimenezitu
No such behaviour has no tribal boundaries. It exist in all tribes or races of different shades and characters. It is just that the said person belongs to a grouping that others view it from a different perspective.
It is alleged that Times TV has an affliation with the MCP since the bosses of the Times Group are MCP affliated. Why should Brian be fired if he was just doing a good job for his political masters? May be the guy acted so pompously thinking that everybody at Times revered him. The bosses know that the MCP cannot win the 2019 elections because of Brian’s participation in the Hot Current. The bosses at the Times know that this Hot Current program appeases only those who are already in MCP or the opposition. The program have never proved to… Read more »
Join the discussion Brian Mulungu wakuonesera adani ako pambalabanda. You know your job ……. upeza pena pamene Mulungu akufuna kuti ukagwire.
friend indeed
aMithi uwu ndi ufiti waukulu, mtima woyipa, nkhanza, dumbo, kaduka mkhwidzi. Zimene mwwapangazi is tantamount to court martial and the penalty is death, Oooh yes Mithi akuyenera kuphedwa, anthu amtundu umenewu sitikuwafuna mdziko muno
Very bad indeed, what Julius did was a gross betrayal of trust in his freind, who had nothing to do with the issue at hand and now he is suspended. Just because of Julius this is too bad…once again.