MACRA summons MBC over obscene words on Chilima

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has summoned the state controlled Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) top management over for disregarding ethics by airing obscene content to embarrass state Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima.

MBC tv on Monday aired the offensive content in its 7pm Chichewa television news bulletin attacking Chilima. MBC used a screenshot from its Facebook page and displayed comments on television purportedly to demonstrate that the public was against Chilima regarding the remarks he made in Mzuzu on Sunday.

Chilima is on record to have told Tonse Alliance followers in Mzuzu that former President Dr. Bakili Muluzi is threatening to kill him and MBC was seeking views of Malawians on the issue.

Justice Henderson commented on MBC page which was being aired live on TV without editing said; “umayankhula zopanda nzeru iwe ma*****e ako iwe Chilima.”

The comment attracted public outcry with many demanding for the closure of the station.

In a statement released on Tuesday made available to Faceofmalawi, MACRA said the regulatory body has commenced an action against the state controlled radio.

According to MACRA, the state broadcaster aired material deemed indecent, offensive and obscene under Section 22 (a) of the Communications Act.

“MACRA would like to assure the general public that it has commenced action against MBC in line with the Communications Act and its Regulations and has therefore given MBC a statutory notice of seven days to make representations on the preliminary findings of breach,” reads in part the statement.

MACRA has also reminded broadcasters to ensure equitable allocation of airtime to candidates and avoid hate speech, abusive and inflammatory language during the official campaign period.