Malawi: Envoy lashes out at media

  1. Posted on Friday 26 February 2010 - 10:57
    Mtheto Lungu
    Image of Mtheto Lungu
    Mtheto Lungu, AfricaNews reporter in Lilongwe, Malawi
    British ambassador to Malawi asked government media to desist from lacing negative government issues with 'kid gloves'. Commissioner Fergus Cochrane-Dyet was speaking when the local media watchdog, the Media Council of Malawi (MCM), sensitized stakeholders on its new set of Accreditation Policy and Procedures and Press Card Scheme in the capital Lilongwe.
    newspaper
    Dyet was also quick to ask members of the press to desist from sensational reporting. As of now, added the Ambassador, Malawi’s media has a bright international image.

    “You do not get into journalism when you are not ready to be credible and responsible. The same goes for politicians who should not get into politics if they are not ready to embrace positive media criticism,” said Dyet.

    Cochrane-Dyet also bemoaned political pressure that forces journalists and media houses to engage into self-censorship. He asked politicians to therefore understand the need for a free and vibrant media.

    His remarks come barely a few months after government silently directed that private owned The Nation newspaper should not enjoy government advertising. Another media body, the Journalists Association of Malawi (JUMA) reacted by asking the Ministry of Information and Civic Education to get into dialogue and reverse the diktat.

    Government is the single largest advertiser in the local media seconded by the corporate and non-governmental organizations.

    The paper is deemed to be against government through its critical reporting, especially when it raised an issue on the quota system of education and related it to unequal share of top public positions.

    Chairperson for MCM, Patrick Semphere took his turn to thank the British government for its support to the development and publishing of the booklet and the media body’s three year old strategic plan.

    “We are proud that about 80 journalists were accredited after assessing applications. We hail the accredited media professionals,” added Semphere.

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