Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has promised to review its suspension of phone-in radio and television programmes.
MACRA Director General Godfrey Itaye made the pledge during a meeting with MISA Malawi officials at Macra offices in Blantyre on Thursday, June 13, 2019.
During the meeting, MISA Malawi advised MACRA to engage media houses it accuses of being unethical instead of suspending phone-in programmes on all radio and television stations in the country.
“We feel suspending phone-in programmes on all radio and television stations is unfair and a violation of constitutional guarantees on media and freedom of expression. It is better for Macra to engage the outlets that have broken the law rather than punish all broadcasters and Malawians who enjoy expressing themselves through such programmes,” Ndanga said.
In a public announcement titled ‘The conduct of broadcasters on coverage of post elections events’ dated June 7, 2019, MACRA suspended all phone-in programmes until further notice.
MACRA alleged that some broadcasters were careless and unethical in the coverage of post-election events.
MACRA officials have promised to review the decision before the end of the week beginning Monday, June 17, 2019.
