Malawi Media Sustainability Index (MSI)
March 9, 2012
About the MSI
IREX designed the MSI to measure the strength and viability of any country's media sector. The MSI considers all the factors that contribute to a media system—the quality of journalism, effectiveness of management, the legal environment supporting freedom of the press, and more—to arrive at scores on a scale ranging between 0 and 4. These scores represent the strength of the media sector components and can be analyzed over time to chart progress (or regression) within a country. Additionally, countries or regions may be compared to one another. IREX currently conducts the MSI in 80 countries, and began studying Africa in 2006.
MSI Overview | Africa | Asia | Europe & Eurasia | Middle East & North Africa
Download Complete Malawi Chapter (PDF): 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2006/7
MSI Malawi- 2010 Introduction
Overall Country Score: 2.30
For the first time since independence in 1964, Malawi has a new flag, boasting a full sun to replace the rising
sun of the old flag. Proponents of the change argued that 46 years after independence, Malawi should
no longer be considered a rising nation. The public protested the change, calling it costly and unnecessary,
but the parliament passed a bill to usher in the move, with President Mutharika’s assent. Contrary to the
spirit of the new flag, the change left many citizens concerned that the ruling party makes laws to support
its will, without the input of the opposition and the people. This governmental attitude is reflected in its
approach to the media as well.
In 2010, with four years to go until the next presidential and parliamentary elections, drama swirled in the
political and media spheres. Mutharika won the 2009 election by a landslide, renewing his five-year term.
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) also won a parliamentary majority. Despite this advantage,
there is much political restlessness over the 2014 candidate. Already the ruling party has two camps, with one
more pronounced side supporting the president’s brother, Peter Mutharika, and the other rallying behind
the country’s vice president, Joyce Banda. Public and private media alike are consumed in the contest, with
endorsements dominating headlines; cluttering front pages, commentaries, and even phone-in programs;
and detracting from coverage of other pressing issues.
Meanwhile, the government is sending troubling signs to the media. During 2010, the government indirectly
banned its departments from advertising with the private media house Nation Publications Limited (NPL).
Even some private companies shunned advertising with NPL, for fear of cross-contamination. Despite this
blow, NPL and the other leading print media house, Blantyre Newspapers Limited (BNL), managed to
add new titles to their brands. The new list includes NPL’s Fuko, published in Chichewa and Tumbuka and
distributed in rural areas for free.
The government’s attempt to exercise control over private media extended to broadcasters, when the
authorities stopped live coverage for VIP events. Parliament’s lack of interest in passing the Access to
Information Bill disheartened the media community further.
The long-awaited merger of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Television Malawi (TVM) proved
to be the major public media event in 2010. Opponents expressed concern that many people would
lose their jobs, while supporters countered that blending MBC Radio 1, MBC Radio 2, and the television
broadcaster under one roof is ideal and in line with the MBC Act and the Malawi Communications Act. Also,
for the first time, Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) spearheaded a review process to
amend the Malawi Communications Act of 1994. According to the authorities, the objective of the review
process is to enhance MACRA’s operations and boost the ICT industry. But given the steps taken to quiet the
media in the past year, media advocates are understandably skeptical.
The Malawi study was coordinated by, and conducted in partnership with, the Sol Plaatje Institute for Media Leadership, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.
