MBC Has Long Been Used as a Political Tool – Matonga

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi has confirmed receiving a complaint from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regarding alleged misconduct by the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) in its coverage of former President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika while he was in opposition.

MISA Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga revealed this today during an interview on Times Radio, saying the complaint was submitted through DPP Secretary General Peter Mukhito to the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), and was later shared with MISA Malawi.

“After receiving the letter, we engaged the Media Council of Malawi and visited MBC. Our lawyers advised MBC to stop airing programs that mocked the former president, highlighting the legal and ethical violations involved,” said Matonga.

He added that MISA Malawi also tried to reason with MBC’s Director General, George Kasakula, urging him to maintain professionalism and avoid partisan content, but Kasakula reportedly refused, insisting that it was within his freedom of expression.

Matonga further noted that MBC has a long history of being used by successive governments as a political tool rather than a true public broadcaster.

His remarks follow last week’s incident in which MBC Director General George Kasakula publicly forced to apologize on national television for saying bad things about Peter Muthalika under MCP administration.