Media freedom, independence and diversity
MISA Malawi tracks specific media freedom violations which you can read on your website. We also collate these incidents in our annual publication, So This is Democracy.
In conjunction with fesmedia Africa, MISA Malawi also publishes the African Media Barometer Malawi – a general analysis of Malawi’s media landscape and press freedom trends.
Three-tier broadcasting system
MISA Malawi also actively campaigns for media law reform and institutional and policy changes that further an independent, pluralistic and sustainable three-tier system of broadcasting.
The three-tier system means having community, public and commercial broadcasting that provide content for local, regional and national audiences. It enhances diversity and can help combat the domination of state broadcasters and the exclusion of minority voices.
Community broadcasting
Community media is operated in the community, for the community, about the community and by the community. It is independent, free from political or commercial interference and can provide public platforms for debate and discussion, and also promote social agendas.
The reach of community media, particularly radio, means it provides information and a platform of expression to rural and remote, grassroots communities that may not be represented in other media. The main challenge faced by community radio in Malawi is the difficulty in sustaining themselves beyond initial donor seed money.
Public service broadcasting
Public service broadcasting is created, financed and controlled by the public, for the public. It is neither commercial nor state-owned, and is therefore free from political or commercial interference.
Public service broadcasting informs, educates and entertains. It is an essential part of a pluralistic, diverse broadcasting sector.
MISA Malawi is lobbying for the transformation of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation from a state broadcaster into a public service broadcaster. It is also advocating for the independence of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority.
Media freedom news
Freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom critical for credible elections in Southern Africa
By Tabani Moyo Four Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries are scheduled for elections in 2023. The four are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Madagascar and Zimbabwe. Eswatini stands out among the four nations, as the monarchy has gone...
Call for Applications: IJP German-Southern African Bursary 2023
Dear Colleagues, We would like to draw your attention to the call for applications for this year’s Horst Köhler Fellowship Programme / Southern African Bursary and we kindly ask you to spread the word among fellow journalists. Applications are still possible...
Malawi MPs decriminalise ‘insulting’ the ‘President’
Members of Parliament (MPs) on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 amended Section 4 of the Protected Flag, Emblems and Names Act of 1967 by removing the word 'President' from the Act. This means 'insulting' the 'President' is no longer a criminal offence under the Act. Flag,...
Governments should come up with punitive measures for crimes against journalists
Journalists and media representative organisations drawn from across the African continent, including regional and international media support organisations, converged in Zimbabwe’s resort town of Victoria Falls on 11 and 12 November 2022 for the belated...
AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER An analysis of trends in AMBs for 28 countries over 11 years
FOREWORD The African Media Barometer (AMB) is our flagship project at fesmedia Africa, the regional media project of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung in Namibia. It was developed in 2004 in partnership with the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA). Its indicators are...