US embassy cable - 04LILONGWE686

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000686 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, OIIP, KDEM, MI, Media 
SUBJECT: NEW VOA-AFFILIATED INDEPENDENT RADIO STATION GOES 
ON AIR 
 
REF: LILONGWE 207 
 
1.  Voice of America (VOA) has extended its partnership with 
an independent affiliate, Capital Radio, to bring 
non-government controlled radio broadcast to northern Malawi. 
 On July 19, Ambassador and PAS staff attended the Mzuzu 
launch ceremony of the new station, which significantly 
enhances the availability of unbiased news coverage for the 
region (reftel).  Also in attendance were the station's 
executive officers, a VOA representative, the mayor of the 
city of Mzuzu, and various regional business leaders. 
 
2.  Previously, the only radio broadcast in the area was 
Malawi Broadcasting Company (MBC) which has often been 
accused of biased news coverage, particularly during the 
recent presidential elections.  Capital Radio, which is 
independently owned and operated and has had been in 
partnership with VOA since 1998, has a solid reputation for 
presenting unbiased news and generally reliable reporting. 
The partnership with VOA ensures access to an alternative 
radio news source in a country where rural illiteracy and 
poverty limit the effectiveness of other media. 
RASPOLIC