MACRA summons MBC for labeling HRDC as “Terrorist group”

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has summoned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) for hearing over a broadcast which referred to Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) as ‘gulu la za uchifwamba (terrorist group).

In a letter addressed to MBC’s Director-General dated 20th January 2020 and signed by MACRA Director General Godfrey Itaye, the hearing has been scheduled for 09:00 hours on Tuesday – January 28, 2020 following the unwelcome behavior that the regulatory body has observed and strongly condemned.

The regulatory body has also expressed discontent in the diminishing standards that the public has observed in recent days despite being run on taxpayers-funds.

Apart from the HRDC case, the letter has also highlighted a case where a guest in a program, in reference to alleged rape cases in Msundwe, decsribed rape as something that is done with consent from the victim.

MACRA Director has however said their action is based on their records and not public pressure or complaint from HRDC.

Angella Semu

I hold a Bachelor of science degree in Agriculture Development Communication that I obtained from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. I previously worked with The Nation Publications Limited since 2018 before joining The Maravi post particularly on Agriculture Desk as an intern before I became a correspondent. Currently I am reporting for The Maravi Post mainly in International News and locally in the Southern region of Malawi.