Mutharika challenges MBC journalists to uphold professionalism

President-elect Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has called on journalists at the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) to maintain professionalism and integrity in their work, warning against practices that compromise journalism and national unity.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday at his private residence in Blantyre, his first since being declared winner of the September 16 presidential election, Mutharika expressed concern over MBC’s conduct during the campaign period.

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“I insist you young professionals here at MBC, you have a career ahead of you and you should be professional. What MBC was doing was very improper,” he said.

The president-elect revealed that he had written, through his legal advisor, to the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) and the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) on two occasions, complaining about what he described as “castigation and insults” directed at him by the state broadcaster.

“Neither organization even bothered to answer. I was very surprised because MISA, which is supposed to ensure that the press performs with integrity, did not even acknowledge my letters,” Mutharika said.

He further cautioned MBC journalists against succumbing to political pressure, stressing that aligning too closely with ruling governments damages both careers and the credibility of the institution.

“I know when you are in a government broadcasting station, everyone wants to please the government in power, maybe for career purposes, but I think it’s important to understand that what MBC was doing and its leadership is not good to journalism and to the country. I hope we don’t have a repetition of that in the future,” Mutharika said.

The remarks come as media watchdogs and civil society continue to press for reforms to ensure state broadcasters serve all Malawians impartially, especially during elections.