Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04LILONGWE204
2004-03-12 11:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lilongwe
Cable title:  

Elections: Bias in State-Owned Media

Tags:  PGOV KDEM KPAO MI 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS LILONGWE 000204 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO MI
SUBJECT: Elections: Bias in State-Owned Media

REF: A) Lilongwe 143
B) 03 Lilongwe 1058
C) 03 Lilongwe 1202

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000204

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO MI
SUBJECT: Elections: Bias in State-Owned Media

REF: A) Lilongwe 143
B) 03 Lilongwe 1058
C) 03 Lilongwe 1202


1. With elections just 66 days away, the
government-controlled media remains biased in
its coverage, broadcasting pro-government news
and ruling party campaign reports while
providing almost no access to the opposition.
The Public Affairs Committee, a local civil
society group composed of influential religious
leaders, initiated legal proceedings on March 10
against the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation
(MBC) and Television Malawi (TVM) for their
bias. The Lilongwe Press Club recorded
interviews with the different parties and bought
airtime on MBC, but MBC has refused to broadcast
them, saying that they can only be aired during
the campaign period, which begins on March 20.


2. Though government, MBC, and TVM officially
have denied any bias, post's monthly overview of
state radio news clearly shows the strong pro-
government bias of MBC. The Malawi Electoral
Commission's Media Monitoring Unit has also been
issuing reports indicating that the "positive
news share" on MBC and TVM overwhelmingly favors
the UDF.


3. Comment: The Constitution requires that MBC
and TVM provide equal access to all parties
during the official campaign from March 20 to
May 18. During the 1999 elections, state-run
media did not comply. Criticism of MBC and TVM
has been sharp over the last several months, and
pressure from the opposition, civil society, and
donors may compel the broadcasters to provide
somewhat more balanced coverage this year. That
being said, we do not expect equal or equitable
access to be given to the opposition. End
comment.

Browning