US embassy cable - 04LILONGWE204

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000204 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, KPAO, MI, Elections, Media, Political 
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