Malawi media sign MOU with government

"There have been misunderstandings between government and the media concerning Sections 46 and 137 of the Penal Code as amended," said minister of information and civic education Symon Vuwa Kaunda who was one of thee signatories of the MOU.

Another signatory from the government side was George Chaponda, minister of justice and constitutional affairs while from the media side a representative from the Media Council of Malawi Alaudin Osman, proprietor and managing editor of Capital Radio FM, put pen to paper on behalf of the media fraternity.

Need for regular consultations

The MOU listed a number agreements that included the need for regular consultations between government and media organisations on matters of mutual interest.

"Whereas the role of government is to promote press freedom, the role of the media is to safeguard democracy through its watchdog role through provision of accurate, fair and balanced information," reads the MOU in part.

The two sides have agreed that government needs the support of the media to promote its socio-economic programs.

Both sides also conceded that there was some misunderstanding on issues relating to Sections 46 and 137 of the Penal Code as amended relating to the banning of publications and same sex relationships, respectively.

Breakdown of communication

"The misunderstanding was due to breakdown of communication between government and the media. Government therefore took opportunity to clarify the issues by providing the media with salient points on the issues," says the MOU.

In the agreement government has requested that media houses assist in providing better understanding to the public and donors about Sections 46 and 137 of the Penal Code as amended.

But as a bargain the media also asked that government note a request from the Malawi chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Malawi) to review concerns about apparent restrictions on government advertising in the Nation Publications Limited Newspapers.

The other aspect that the media wanted government to consider was a request from MISA Malawi to review concerns about the prohibition the Weekend Times newspaper.

"Government and the media agreed to explore better ways of managing public information to avoid distorting the country's good image," the MOU read.