By Burnett Munthali
As Malawi approaches its highly anticipated September 16 General Elections, concerns over media impartiality have intensified.
The Elections Broadcast Monitoring and Complaints Committee (EBMCC) has summoned five major broadcasters—Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Times Group, Mibawa TV, and Luntha TV—over alleged violations of election coverage standards.
The summons, issued on September 3, 2025, responds to reports of hate speech, biased reporting, inflammatory live content, and the broadcasting of unverified allegations.
Monitoring reports from the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) for June and August indicate that while most media outlets comply with guidelines, these five stations risk undermining public trust and jeopardizing the credibility of the electoral process.
MACRA Director General Daud Suleman emphasized the crucial role of media in safeguarding democratic elections, stating, “We will not hesitate to act where violations persist.”
The EBMCC, which includes MACRA, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD), the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE)-Trust, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)-Malawi, and the Media Council of Malawi, is responsible for ensuring fair and responsible media coverage during the election period.
In addition to summoning the five broadcasters, MACRA has initiated nationwide monitoring of radio stations to ensure balanced and responsible coverage.
This initiative aims to provide equitable media access for all political parties and candidates and to prevent the spread of hate speech and misinformation.
Community radio stations are a particular focus, as they remain critical sources of information for rural populations.
The summons has sparked reactions across the political spectrum.
Opposition parties have raised concerns about potential media bias, while ruling party representatives have called for accountability and adherence to ethical broadcasting standards.
Civil society organizations have also urged the EBMCC to take decisive action to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
The summoning of these five broadcasters highlights the delicate balance between media freedom and the responsibility to provide fair, unbiased coverage during elections.
As Malawi approaches the general elections, the actions of the EBMCC and MACRA will be pivotal in ensuring that the media fulfills its role as a pillar of democracy, providing voters with accurate and impartial information to make informed decisions.
