JUMA decries withdrawal of state advertising
8 Feb 2010
The Journalists Union of Malawi (JUMA) has decried the Malawian government's decision to withdraw state advertising from certain media institutions in Malawi. In a letter addressed to the Information and Civic Education Minister Leckford Thotho, JUMA president Levi Zeleza Manda has appealed for government to rescind the advertisement ban in some private media institutions.
The information ministry issued a directive two months ago ordering government departments to stop advertising in NPL publications. Although government has not stated the reasons, commentators have said for some time, government has not been happy with the publications' championing of dissenting views.
“JUMA is worried because this sad development comes at a time when the government and media are enjoying the most cordial relationship in decades,” said Manda in the letter.
JUMA has advised the minister to take any complaints, including perceived bias and the flouting of ethics, against media institution that government has to a professional media complaints body in Malawi, the Media Council of Malawi.
“JUMA is concerned that without government advertisement, a substantial number of media personnel, particularly the youth, will lose jobs, which will be against...Mutharika's dreams and plans for the youth of this country. Without proper employment, the young journalists might end up being exploited, manipulated and abused by people who do not wish this country and its leadership well,” said Manda in the letter which is not mentioning any victimised media institution.
About Gregory Gondwe
Gregory Gondwe is a Malawian journalist who started writing in 1993. He is also a media consultant assisting several international journalists pursuing assignments in Malawi. He holds a Diploma and an Intermediate Certificate in Journalism among other media-related certificates. He can be contacted on moc.liamg@ewdnogyrogerg. Follow him on Twitter at @Kalipochi.
Related
