Sad times for Malawi democracy as Tonse capture media and CSOs

September 1, 2020 Mike Fiko –Nyasa Times 52 Comments

The terrain of Malawi mainstream media and, also, that of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) isn’t looking pretty.

Kazako: Government spokesperson and his Zodiak now towing the Tonse Alliance line

We have entered a disturbing chapter in our democracy as far holding governments to account is anything to go by.

There is no denying here: Most key media houses and vibrant CSOs have been strategically folded in government armpits and this, unarguably, should worry all of us.

Brian Banda was a great voice in asking right and provoking questions to duty-bearers. He is at State House now where he will be defending the duty-bearer number 1: President Lazarus Chakwera.

His former boss George Kasakula, another powerful voice both on television and print in defense of democracy, is rumored to be joining State-controlled Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC).

Times Group—which runs Times TV, Times Radio, Malawi News, Daily Times, Sunday Times and Times Online—is, principally, controlled by the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) as it is owned by Kamuzu’s family, most of them are in the cabinet.

Renowned broadcaster and powerful voice in defense of democracy, Gospel Kazako, is now in charge of defending government.  Though he promised that his Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) will be neutral but we know they can’t for obvious reasons.

We can waste a sentence on MBC. Forget the rhetoric; that station will never be a voice in defense of democracy. It will always be a tool for defending those in power.

The situation isn’t different from CSOs. Malawi’s powerful voices in CSOs are those running the Human Rights Defenders Coalitions (HRDC).

We know HRDC founding leader, the fierce voice, Timothy Mtambo is now a Minister in Chakwera government.

If you have noted the trend with HRDC as I write, they have never taken a stand against several issues that Malawians have complained against the Chakwera. The least they tried was when they met the President over concerns on the Cabinet—something HRDC said they have given the President time.

Instead HRDC continues to be vocal, though concentrating on the excess of the former DPP regime.

Put it simply, the main media houses and major CSOs voices appear to have been muted through the president’s strategic moved to have most of them with him.

This, arguably, calls for more voices to emerge. Currently, Malawians will keep their eyes on Nation Publications Limited (NPL), Rainbow TV and some emerging CSOs such as CDEDI, Malawi Watch for critical voices.

Otherwise we have entered a disturbing chapter where key voice in defense of democracy have been strategically captured—something, as a nation, we need to rethink and find a better way to handle it.

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52 replies on “Sad times for Malawi democracy as Tonse capture media and CSOs”

  1. I think in 2025 we better try mbakuwaku maybe he will do something different from the rest of the leaders.
    This can definitely tell and confirm us that Bingu and kamuzu it was a calling to the country.

  2. The author of this article is a wise man. Enanu munangozolowera kutsutsa lopanda nako nzeru. This article is just a reflection of what is happening in Malawi nasty democracy. More fire buddy tili limodzi amazitenga ngati iwowa ndi Angelo. Malawians are watching HRDC inali kuti mmesa inachita kupopedwa ndi omwewa. Watch out.

  4. Gospel is probably the most useless information minister who talks without any intelligence. He was making noise about access to infromation but now he is quite because he has realised that the dog will bite them as people would expose the rot that is happening in tonse alliance.

  7. As much as I think that Tonse Alliance is on the right track & that they will deliver without any doubt BUT this article is true. Now it is difficult to get real news. At the moment is just praise singing.

    1. True. I was angry with the cabinet issue. Chakweras cabinet is actually Lilongwe cabinet. When APM was regionalistic, Chakwera has stooped so low to be districtristic yet HRDC could only go to have a cap of tea with the president.

  8. Learn from SABC how they broadcasts it’s news , saona Mbali Kaya olamula or otsutsa ma demonstration zofuna zawanthu ananena osakondela Mbali. Koma MBC sitha kudzudzula zonyansa zamuboma even times zodiac can still continue watching the government pa zabwino or zolakwika

  10. The media is too corrupt that is why it only reported negative stories about DPP despite DPP delivering balanced development. Times tv and radio are the most political media houses good for nothing. They report to satisfy their egos basi.

    2. I wonder, does Malawi have Brian Banda only, the writer is worrying yet he is one of the scribes, shame. Why cant you be one of such an oustanding scribes other than crying here.
      Secondly, you are giving us rumor saying Kasakula is rumored to be joining MBC, why writing of a rumor, what about if it doesn      t turn like that. Give us real staff.

  13. Kkkkk the author is not only myopic but dull and a dunderhead . During the reign of DPP we had CSOs , Churches and radios and even TVs that were pro govt in this case DPP so numerous to mention? Why are they? It’s for them now to pick up the mantle don’t make unnecessary noise here

  14. Malawi does not only have Brian Banda, George Kasakula and Gospel Kazako as journalists. There are plenty of other young, talented, hot-blooded Malawian journalists ready to take their places. They also just deserve an opportunity and exposure.

    Indeed Brian, George (whom I know personally as a classmate @ Chanco and as a work colleague when we both briefly taught @ Viphya Private Secondary School in Mzuzu around 1998 before I left the country) and Gospel Kazako have really helped shape the Malawian media industry – Kazako as a veteran broadcaster and entrepreneur while George and Brian being two of the very first journalists to take to task sitting governments by tackling issues affecting Malawians without mincing words.

    In my humble opinion Brian and George have outgrown their current places in life and need to move to bigger things and challenges while creating space for the young, upcoming generations to thrive. Gospel Kazako went solo with his own broadcasting house after his stint at MBC.

    These veterans must now act as mentors to our younger up and coming journalists. To be able to do that, they must also grow and expand in their careers.

    If, for example, Kasakula is rumoured to be joining MBC, so much the better. He can then help mold the national broadcaster into an entity that is representative of all Malawians. He is then going to be able to use the same professionalism he is currently using as Editor @ Large @ Times to shape up MBC.

    Brian as presidential spokes person is in the right place. To me, he should be a used as a torch bearer and role model to spur our young ones to work harder in school. A lot of our young kids in the rural villages have no idea of what possibilities are out there. Having a young, energetic and motivated person like Brian in such a position should help spur and motivate our young ones.

    Let us accept that we have other talent other than these people and give our young ones the support and encouragement they need with these veterans acting as anchor points and supporting pillars.

  15. Chakwera is practically engaging in some veiled form of one party system where he can manipulate csos, judiciary and media houses. I hate this system already. That’s what he must have learnt from the telephone discussion with Paul kagame who is his idol. Very you will see Malawi sponsoring arsenal football club as a way of promoting tourism. Tin pot dictator in the making.

    1. Sure! Honestly i cant see a reputable broadcasting house to act as a mouth piece for opposition to provide unbiased checks and balance

  16. Kulira mokweza kwa khadeti uku. Mmesa inu mumawamenya, kuwatema, kuwamanga, kuwaotchera magalimoto komanso kuwasaka kuti muwaphe a HRDC ndiye pano angamakupangeni support? Mukuwawona ngati zitsiru or what? Pezani ma CSO anu azikupangani support. Aja mumadya nawo gulu la Unandi Banda,,,

  17. This is good. The government needs to be run and supervised by the best. They will continue playing their role from within. Otherwise why does the Opposition side of government fight to go into government? Why do they not choose to remain in opposition all the time?

  18. its sad and stressing to see some reporters trying to make a name by complaining on such empty issue. the govt bringing in bryan banda, kasakula, and kazako is a way of transforming the state media. you the same report were the one complkaining kuti mbc and state media need reforms and now Chilima and Chakwera take a step to reform state media by bringing in credited and shrewd reporters like kasakula and bryan banda, you start complaining. now its not time for you to complain, its time for you and fellow reporters to pull up socks and fill the holes bryan and kasakula has and will left. thanks Tonse govt for taking step to reform state media.

  20. I am sure Brian Banda was offered a job and accepted it. If someone offers you a job which is well paying and with good working condition, will you not take it?

  21. It was obvious these people were fighting for their stomachs.They got what they wanted.Most of them were fighting for themselves.People especially in Dowa,Lilogwe,kasungu will never appreciate any body apart from Wanyau.They always say as long as a candidate is Mcp ngakhale atayikapo garu sadzasunthika.All their eyes are closed they can’t recognized anything good from other paties.Do Malawians know that there is a fantastic road from Chezi to Dowa and Dowa turn off,Dowa to Ntchisi, how about Area 18 rounder about.Go to Salima/lower shire Green belt and so many things . This why people will never trust politicians MOTI OSAPHONYA NGAKHALE TSIKU LIMODZI KUCHULAKO CHABWINO CHIMENE MZAO ANACHITAPO.BRAVO KACHALE HE IS CIVILIZED.HE COMMENDED HIS PREDECESSOR FOR THE GOOD THINGS SHE DID.

    1. Wabodza iwe. Pa central region ma MP achipani cha tsankho cha DPP analipo ambiri koma 2025 sadzapezekapo olo mmodzi. Anthu anazindikira kuti DPP ndichipani cha tsankho. Pa 5 billion kwacha ya Medf imene inaperekedwa kupezeka kuti over 1 billion kwacha kuperekedwa ku Thyolo and Mulanje! Tsankho loyipa kwambiri.

    2. It was the same with DPP. Lomwes never appreciated what MCP did under Kamuzu. This was true even gogo pitala always demeaned whatever MCP did. He said for 30 yes MCP did nothing for Malawi. Surprisingly enough he was sleeping in state residences built by the same MCP. As for roads built by DPP yes they did their part though most of the infrastructures are not durable( anamanga zosalimba). Mungayiuze chiani?

    3. All of us were fighting for ourselves….that is very obvious……for some, the mere sense of freedom is more than adequate…..no need to spite those whose benefits directly reach their stomachs….infrastructure is not shud not be at the behest of a president but conducive environment with proper planning….the govt is a machine that continues regardless who the driver is

  22. Where are the faisoni Chonzi who have been critical and vocal against Tonse alliance and the said HRDC whilst were in opposition… This is their time to campaign for DPP to come back

  23. Excellent article. There is indeed real and present danger to our democracy. Personally, my expectations were already low, after seeing so many crooks in the Tonse Alliance. All I am hoping for now is the arrest of as many DPP crooks as possible. That way, the Tonse guys will be a bit careful before dipping their fingers into the govt coffers for fear of meeting a similar fate five years from now. I am also hoping for a considerable reduction of presidential powers. This should be very easy to accomplish, since even the opposition MPs would love to vote for the reduction of such powers.

    1. Mulira simunati. Pano kuno ku Eastern region anthu akuchoka ku UDF kupanga support UTM. Atupele sakudziwa chimene akuchita. How can he be still in an alliance with a party which stole his support base? When is he going to rebuild his party? And agogo Mutharika akukana kutula pansi udindo coz he knows kuti it is the only protection he has against so many corruption cases he is going to face. Come 2025 adzafuna kuyimira olo adzatenga munthu amene angafune iye kuti akhale president was DPP. Akudikira Mpinganjira akuona ngati salowa ku ndende ndi case yake yokhudza attempted bribe of the judges. DPP ili mmadzi…

  24. Yea its true. Kasakula, Banda, Ntambo and Kazako were the true voices of the voiceless. They hv been systematicaly muted. Just as malemu managed to downvolume Kamlepo aka amplifier. Kkkkk kumutha galu nkumponyela fupa

  25. There is merit in this write-up. The problem, however, is that you cannot fault the present government because this has happened because of DPP’s rule. The DPP made all media houses and many legitimate CSOs its enemies except MBC and Malawi Voice. It is, therefore, not surprising to see that many of those that it hated are now on the side of the government. We must understand though that it is not up to the Tonse Alliance administration to create its own critics. Once this present government starts taking people for granted, genuine critics (not DPP politicians) will emerge.

  27. Very true they have all been swallowed by Chakwera and Chilima. Kasakula and Times daily are concentrating on castigating APM and his DPP. But i am just giving them one year after that some of them will start changing.

    1. Let those Adad kids at MBC now be the Brians & Kasakula’s now. If they were patriotic of Malawi rather than 4 Adad.
      Do it now while Adad is at lakeside.

    2. We dont want the Madeya syndrome. We should be able to do without them. 18M pple… can’t we find other Brians or Kasakulas or even Kazakos.
      We cant grow if were narrowly dependant

    • Tonse alliance has not done anything wrong yet. So far so good. Brian Banda and the others mentioned in this article were all fighting for freedom which they have now because they have been given jobs they deserve. They have been employed based on merit. The argument in this article is analogous to saying that a very high performing teacher at XYZ secondary school sholudn’t be promoted to work in a higher office, like Education division managing because if he leaves the school’s performance will drop. Is that how to treat best personalities? ZANGOKUVUTANI BABA!!!!! INGOJOINANI CHABE THE WINNING TIME. This change is inevitable.

    Are not ashamed of what is being revealed, how our taxes were squandered by azilonda ndi mahule?

    1. Thats very true about your comment.Besides,joining the Government of the day does not mean i cannot voice out the wrong things in your government.Mind him,people who are in this Tonse Alliance Government are not puppets.

    2. Really? Seems most people here are blinded by their love parties/leaders in government to see the voice of reason and the eminent danger to democracy being voiced in the article. Maybe you guys just love your old ONE PARTY DICTORSHIP where there is no opposition parties to challenge some poor gov decisions or decenting views. Posterity will judge us harshily.

  29. Be at ease – if things are fine why worry. But if Tonse take a bad turn we do not need any media my friend, We are the media! Do you think the army need any media – they act according to the constitution. Tonse just do what you promised Malawians to the letter and the citizens love that.

    1. The nation wanted to deal with those crooks; and it managed to do so; what else do we have to worry about. Should we have a strong opposition when there is nothing to oppose? Or should we push to have all campaign promises fulfilled in two months? Are we going to be sensible? We should deal with the past thieves first (DPP).

  30. NDANKANENA LERO SI IZI ENAAONA, ZBS MASIKU ANO NDI PRESIDENT THIS, THAT KOMA, ZBS SINGALENSO NUMBER 1 RADIO, A MKAMANGA, A THINDWA, A GEORGE PHIRI KULI ZIIIIIIIIII MA HAND CLAPPERS SHAME ON YOUOOOOOO HRDC NDIYE NANJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII PAJA ILI AKULAMULILA

  33. MCP has its fingers on it and is swallowing up everything. Come 2025 it will partner DPP to swallow up democracy. Once it has its grip on the Centre and the south that is the end.

    1. Great,
      I see nothing wrong in absorbing the csos and media in tonse alliance as long as they helped in kicking off the so called system DPP.
      Let’s just work towards assisting the government to do its job.
      I rest my case.

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