Mutharika ‘deservedly’ scoops media freedom award

Seasoned journalists in the country have hailed President Peter Mutharika for being awarded and named the “Promoter of media freedom in Malawi, saying the Head of State has deservedly been recognised.

Tax-payer funded  Malawi Broadcasting  Corporation  (MBC) presented the  award to Mutharika  during the glamorous  2018 MBC Innovations Awards at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe. 

According to MBC the award has been presented as a token of appreciation for the commendable work the President has done in  promoting media freedom in Malawi.

“Professor Mutharika has walked the talk after he committed to assent to the Access to Information Act into law, he has done just that and this is a milestone in the media industry,” said the MBC Board Chairperson Rev. Daniel Gunya.

Media veteran Felix Mponda hailed the Malawi leader for assenting to the long awaited  Access to Information (ATI) B law and making sure that media operates freely Malawi.

The ATI law is expected to empower Malawians to hold government and duty-bearers accountable on governance issues.

Former Media Institute for Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter chairperson Thom Khanje also commented on Facebook, about the award, saying Mutharika has done well in areas where journalists are not harrassed but that there is about 60 percent of perfection to be done in other areas.

“Compared to the era of Joyce Banda, Bingu wa Mutharika and Bakili Muluzi, [President] Peter Mutharika’s era has recorded fewer cases of journalists being arrested or harassed by the police or party cadets,” noted Khanje.

Khanje pointed out that President Mutharika generally allows media freedom and freedom of expression “although I wouldn’t describe him as media friendly.”

He said Mutharika promised to open up MBC to the opposition but observed that the national brodcaster  remains exclusively biased towards the ruling party.

In his remarks at the awards ceremony, President Mutharika commended MBC for promoting progressive values in the country.

He said MBC has been instrumental in propagating national values of patriotism, integrity and hard work and these are the cornerstones of our economic prosperity. 

The President noted that MBC has always shown determination in promoting the spirit of innovation in the country.  

“MBC innovations have rekindled the spirit of creation among ordinary Malawians in which they are being encouraged to take part in the country’s national development,” Mutharika said.

The Malawi Leader added that the country always need to find ways of solving problems saying the nation cannot get new results by doing thesame things the same way.

He pointed out that Malawians need to change the mindset and be innovative in doing things in order to improve their lives.

“Every Malawian is capable of doing great things and we only start to believe in ourselves by doing right things art right time,” Mutharika said.

He said let us help Malawian achievers to do great things for the country and making it a great nation.

Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Henry Mussa said it was pleasing to note that the country is making progress in terms of media freedom.

He said recent report on Media has indicated that Malawi is now ranked 64 from 70 from 180 countries in promoting media freedom.

Mussa pointed out that independent media have worked freely in the country since 1994 and continues to get support from government.

“We have seen more work being done through on-line publications where we are encouraging journalist to report accurately about the country,” the Minister said.

During the ceremony, Mzuzu based Small Scale Entrepreneur, Martin Salumpha was named 2018 Innovator of innovators and went away with cash prize of K1.5 million, a trophy and certificate.  

Over 10 categories were winner were rewarded with cash prize of K 1 million each plus a trophy and certificate.

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Luka
Luka
5 years ago

Malawian leaders, at both the local level and the national level, have always understood the importance of freedom of speech – and later – freedom of the press, in promoting peace. When elders used to gather in the shade and indulge in their interminable discussions of local issues, they were enjoying the opportunity to vent their frustrations. Having said their piece, they could go home, happy that their community’s problems had been talked through. Such talks did not usually result in an action plan, but that was not their purpose. They cemented group cohesion at both the local and extra-local… Read more »

Zakonso
Zakonso
5 years ago

If I invite you to my home, then I fill your belly with thobwa, therere and mgaiwa and then I ask you to honour me in the presence of my wife and tribesmen would you say no? This is a forum that was created for self glory and appeasement. The honours given are not earned but being exchanged with food and drinks

Mwana wa Nankhoma
Mwana wa Nankhoma
5 years ago

WHY THEN FORCING MACRA TO FREEZE ZODIAC WHEN BROADCASTING UTM CONVENTION

Thyolo Thava boy
5 years ago

Za ziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Roll Out ATI Now
Roll Out ATI Now
5 years ago

I am sorry. This is nothing but good for a broken society. ATI is gathering dust. Roll Out ATI Now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dulli
Dulli
5 years ago

Congratulations Bwanaaaaaaa!

Vindere
Vindere
5 years ago

He uses the State Radio for his own gain …… Silly Mr Maliseche

Achiswe
5 years ago

What a laugh! Press freedom? Mind you APM controls MBC, so it makes sense that he should be given this award. They are simply acknowledging and honouring their boss.

DR MANGA
5 years ago

AWARD FOR WHAT ??? MONOPOLISING AND DESTROYING MBC ???

MALAWI STINKS.

Make Malawi Great
Make Malawi Great
5 years ago

Propaganda! u dont show anything positive about opposition! Only wicking the naive and illiterate one about stupid development like stadiums from soft loans which will be from taxes of future generation!

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