CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by Hamilton Vokhiwa, Malawi, August 1999
THEME = MEDIA
Press freedom was hailed as the cornerstone of democracy during
Malawi's transition
to multi-party democracy in 1994. Today, freedom of the Press and free expression
are being threatened by intimidation, harassment and the jailing of media workers
by the Muluzi government. So, what future is there for Malawi's Press?
When Dr Bakili Muluzi became President in 1994, he pledged to champion press freedom, and during his first term in office, he tried to impress upon Malawians and the international community, that he is indeed tolerant of the Press. In October 1996, the President told the annual congress of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA): "In Malawi we now have one of the most aggressive but at the same time, unfettered press systems in southern Africa". Yet, while describing the Press as "The watchdog of society", he accused it of showing symptoms of rabies.
The President's address came barely two months after he had sued a local newspaper, The Tribune, for defamation, and after he had applied for a High Court injunction preventing the newspaper from publishing defamatory statements. Muluzi takes care to reiterate his belief in press freedom but warns journalists he will not tolerate "inaccurate reporting". His stance is echoed by his press secretary, Alaudin Osman, who said in a statement: "The State President has always been in support of a free press that is critical of the government's programmes and policies".
Contrary to these appeasing statements, Malawian journalists are being harassed right, left and centre by the powers-that-be. In some cases, it is worse than during the time of President Banda and his one-party system. The worst hit is the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) where employees are being sacked, accused of sympathising with the Opposition.
Only a week after the presidential elections on 15 June, at least four experienced professional radio personalities (presenters and producers) were dismissed. Geoffrey Msampha, Ruskie Nkwapatira, Patrick Mphaka were axed, together with Principal Producer Thom Chisuse. Thirteen others were summarily dismissed earlier this year for demanding higher wages and for criticising corrupt practices within the Corporation where a few individuals had "won favours from above".
Inside sources say the working climate at the state-controlled MBC is that of fear, to the extent that any slight joke about the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) can cost someone his job. Three right-wing employees, allegedly planted to spy on opposition sympathisers, were said to have been behind the controversial dismissals of many broadcasting employees during and after the general election campaign.
In the print media, the latest victims of Muluzi's journalist witch-hunt have been two journalists from the opposition-sponsored Blantyre Newspapers Limited, publishers of Malawi's oldest daily, The Daily Times and its sister weekly The Malawi News. Horace Somanje, The Malawi News' editor, and Mabvuto Banda, as senior reporter with the same newspaper, were arrested on 21 June after an article was published in the newspaper, in which disgruntled Blantyre residents, dissatisfied with the 15 June poll results, were chanting in the streets, calling on the army "to take over the fraudulently elected government of Bakili Muluzi".
The two journalists were kept in police custody for two days and released on bail after being charged on two counts of publishing an article prejudicial to public safety and order, and inciting muting. They pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Edge Kanyongolo is a lawyer for the Media. In 1994, he singled out forty laws that directly or indirectly make the work of a Malawian journalist both taxing and difficult. He emphasises the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation Act, passed in Parliament before the 15 June election. The Act states that the appropriate Minister has sweeping powers in hiring and firing staff; in the inclusion and exclusion of material presented for broadcasting; in deciding which programmes are to be broadcast over the national radio network.
The author of this article has not been spared, either. As co-Editor of a government publication, the Weekly News, in February 1998, Hamilton Vokhiwa was dismissed by Sam Mpasu, information Minister at that time. Vokhiwa is a veteran journalist, having formerly edited Malawi's first daily, The Daily Times. He survived the difficult times when Banda's Malawi Congress Hawks were hovering around. However, he was not able to escape Muluzi's henchmen.
Vokhiwa's "sin" was to publish a letter from a reader who was querying the so-called "free primary education" introduced ny Muluzi's government, which is anything but free. Why? Because of all the demands made on parents by the various school committees. Parents are having to "cough up" more than under Banda's regime.
The Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) has expressed concern over the muzzling of the Press in a supposedly democratic society. Francis Antonio, the MCTU's secretary-general says there is every indication that journalists, printing houses and media institutions have no protection against what amounts to a frame-up when it comes to giving reasons for dismissals. They are also subject to intimidation from their employers.
Antonio proposes the establishment of a journalists' trade union. He says that although the journalists do have organisations such as the Media Council, the Journalists Association of Malawi (JAMA), and membership of MISA, it is important to have a general print and electronic Media Union which could assist in helping to solve worker-employer problems. He has offered the MCTU's help form such a union.
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