ZBS fined over interview with Kamlepo

Advertisement
kamlepo-kalua

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has today fined Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) for an interview the radio aired in August this year.

The regulatory body has ordered Zodiak to pay a fine of US$1250 (K925,000) for breaching license regulations in the interview the radio had with People’s Party legislator Kamlepo Kalua.

kamlepo-kalua
Kalua: Cause for ZBS’s fine.

Macra summoned Zodiak days after the interview was aired saying the radio’s interview with Kalua who is also chairperson of Pablic Affairs Committee (Pac) was not supposed to be broadcasted.

Macra disclosed that Zodiak breached some sections of the Communications Act for broadcasting the controversial issues raised by the outspoken legislator Kalua during a Views Triangle program that also featured the then government spokesperson Patricia Kaliati.

Among other things discussed in the aired interview, Kamlepo gave the state president 24 hours to disclose names of cabinet ministers involved in the cashgate scandal.

Kalua further claimed that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) had a hand in the death of Polytechnic Student Robert Chasowa some years ago.

He added that the DPP’s political partner United Democratic Front (UDF) also had a hand in the death of musician Evison Matafale and Chancellor College student Fanikiso Phiri.

Meanwhile, Zodiak is yet to react to the development.

But this comes barely two months after President Peter Mutharika accused the private owned radio of lying about his health when he was outside Malawi for UNGA meetings.