CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by Akwete Sande, Malawi, December 1998
THEME = MEDIA
In the run-up to the 1994 general elections,
there were over 20 newspapers circulating in Malawi.
This resulted from the advent of multiparty democracy,
achieved by Malawians at the 1993 referendum
Prior to 1993, the Media was government-controlled. The country had one daily paper. The Daily Times and its sister paper, the Malawi News (weekly). The government also controlled the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC). The Media spread Banda's ideas, and opposing views were not tolerated. Many journalists, especially those who had trained outside Malawi as the country had no school of journalism, could not exercise freedom of expression. Because of the situation, journalism was one profession many parents never allowed their children to embrace. They saw that some journalists were detained because of what they wrote.
In 1993, all changed. Many people became journalists. Citizens began to buy newspapers again, and it was an exciting period in Malawi's history.
Five years on, and things are not the same. Most of the newly established newspapers, mainly those founded by aspiring politicians, folded up soon after the 1994 general elections. They no longer appeal to the readers, and in any case, printing costs have become prohibitive.
Then there was the issue of professionalism. People became very discerning and they chose what to read. The Journalists Association of Malawi (JAMA) appealed to international donors to assist in the training of journalists. The European Union funded the Malawi Institute of Journalism which was opened in 1995. Since then, it has conducted short courses for beginners and experienced journalists. A Media Council was set up to ensure that ethics of the profession are adhered to. Also, a Code of Ethics was published.
Unfortunately, the situation is not as good as expected. Less than ten newspapers are now in circulation. There are two dailies and the remainder are weeklies with very small circulations - an average of 2000 copies per week, and circulating only in urban areas. The major problem being the high cost of printing.
Edward Chitsulo, a former publisher and JAMA's chairman, attributed the death of many papers and the limited circulation, to the 20% tax printers must pay on newsprint which is imported. Efforts to get the government to remove this tax has failed. Both JAMA and the Media Council have approached the government on the issue. "We believe the cost of printing newspapers is too high, and our papers selling at K15 per (1 US$ = K42) per copy is too expensive for most of our readers", says Chitsulo.
Many more people in Malawi can now read thanks to the expansion of education. But educationists are worried that those who drop out of school at primary school level, may succumb to illiteracy due to the lack of reading material. "No matter how much we may try to make our people read and write, if they don't practise this, they can slide back into illiteracy", says Professor Gomo Kumichongwe of the Malawi Institute of Education. He's convinced that newspapers have an important part to play in consolidating literacy.
Malawi's literacy rate hovers around 30% of the country's 12 million people. To increase this, the government introduced free primary education in 1994. So why is the government not keen on promoting the newspaper industry? There are many arguments. There are those who say the Muluzi administration does not love press freedom, even though the President himself claims he is a champion of democracy.
They argue that he tolerates a free press because he owes his 1994 electoral victory to it. The opposition press has been severely critical of his rule, but so far no journalist has been imprisoned because of what he/she has written.
Muluzi's reluctance to nurture the press can be justified by the type of journalism displayed by papers run by the Opposition. Recently, an opposition member, Brian Mungomo, launched a propaganda paper called The National Agenda using fictitious names. The paper ridicules everyone in government. The government banned it, but a human rights organization, Civil Liberties Committee, stepped in to defend the publication, forcing the High Court to issue an injunction against the ban. The Committee's lawyer, Ralph Kasambala argues that as the country draws closer to the next democratic elections there is need to have different voices expressing a variety of opinions. "The government has its own voices, so the Opposition needs to have channels of communication," he argues. The matter is still sub judice and the paper is still being published.
The establishment of the Malawi Institute of Journalism raised hopes for the growth of a vibrant press in the country. But a number of professional journalists have now turned politicians or left for "fresh woods and pastures green". Untrained journalists who do not bother about ethics in their work, are now filling the gaps.
At the time of writing, there are only six months left before the next elections, but it seems there's no excitement in the Media. There are fewer papers compared to a similar period five years ago; journalists are poorly paid, and sales have gone down.
Costly Mtogolo is a university lecturer who has conducted many training sessions for journalists. He says: "I don't believe there is an immediate solution to the current problem.
But one can imagine that a paper which adheres to professional ethics will be respected. That way it will attract good journalists and that's how a paper can survive." He argues that leaving economic difficulties aside, a sensible person is always keen to buy a paper which tells the truth.
Truth to say, all is not well even in journalists' ranks. While many journalists are quick to condemn corruption, it appears this too is a problem among them. Recently, the National Director of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Bentry Mndhuli, was suspended due to an alleged misappropriation of funds in the Malawi chapter. He is being investigated for possible prosecution. His case has further put the profession up for public ridicule.
Also, journalists have written embarrassing stories about each other, and this has further brought the profession into disrepute.
END
CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
PeaceLink 1999 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement