Southern African Editors Forum -Zambia Chapter Media release, Monday May 26, 2014 The mission from the Southern African Editors’ Forum (SAEF) which observed the Malawitripartite elections on May 20 and 21 in relation to the conduct of the media found that the media had performed fairly well though there could be improvements. It also found that the attitude of the authorities to the media was variable, displaying a welcome transparency at some levels and trying to impose intolerable restrictions on other occasions. The elections were described as ``tri-partite’’ because they were for the president, parliament and local government. The mission was impressed with the manner in which press briefings were held by the Malawi Election Commission (MEC) and other bodies involved in election processes though it discerned a tendency to limit information rather than provide it on a comprehensive basis. This was evident in the way the commission overrated its preparedness. The failure of voting materials to arrive resulting in the closure of some polling stations and forcing the commission to extend the voting from 18h00 to 21h00 for some polling stations and two days later for others. A novel positive feature was the introduction of Citizen Reporters who were encouraged to use a toll-free line to send information to a central clearing house where it would be investigated and validated. This was the initiative of the Malawi Electoral Support Network (MESN). The press was regarded as having performed in a more balanced and fair manner but overall media coverage was also seen to favour reports on the presidential candidates – nearly 40% of reports – with 11% to parliamentary candidates and a little more than 1% to local ward candidates. The mission is highly critical of the conduct of the broadcasting regulator, Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), in issuing a ban on several radio stations to cease live broadcasts. There were also restrictions placed onon newspaper reporters who were frequently prevented by security police from gaining access to areas meriting news coverage. This conduct is condemned by the SAEF mission. Members of the Malawi Editors’ Forum also reported threats to some members of their staff from the public.The mission was disturbed to find that politicians in Malawi own radio stations. Based on the findings, the SAEF team recommends as follows: • That the Malawi Electoral Commission in future elections consults with the media about the processes it intends to follow and arrive at an agreement. • Government should enforce provisions of the MACRA Act on ownership of Radio Stations by politicians. • Government and MEC should desist from banning media from carrying out its mandate of informing the public on the election processes, whether positive or negative. • The SAEF mission also encourages the institution of a system of Citizen Reporting so as to increase public awareness of the election and the need for people to express their choice by voting. This will promote transparency. • The Malawi Editors’ Forum and other journalists’ organisations should be encouraged to set up training programmes for their staff and promote the principles of ethical conduct and fair, accurate and balanced coverage of election news and party political manifestos. • The media should ensure that they abide by the ethical and professional principles outlined in the Guidelines in Media Coverage of Elections in the SADC Region. The mission comprised six editors and the SAEF director. The six are EmangBokhutlo, editor of The Voice in Botswana and treasurer of the Botswana Editors’ Forum; Lawrence Keketso, deputy chairperson of the Lesotho Editors’ Forum; Manuel CamiloNtave, retired editor of Radio Mozambique, Raymond Louw member of the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) NcamsileMatsebula, editor-in-chief of the Swaziland Broadcasting and Information Services; PatsonPhiri secretary general of SAEF Zambia and SAEF executive director, Elizabeth M’ule. Kenny Makungu Chairperson SAEF Zambia
Posted on: Wed, 28 May 2014 13:51:44 +0000
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