The Media Council of Malawi (MCM) has expressed deep concern over recent developments in the country’s media landscape, saying a series of high-profile broadcast reports and interviews have generated public anxiety, misinformation, and widespread ethical debate.
The Council has particularly cited two recent incidents that have raised questions about editorial standards and professional journalism.
The first concerns news reports aired by Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) and MBC Digital alleging that President Arthur Peter Mutharika had left Malawi.
The reports were later established to be inaccurate and were subsequently retracted.
The second relates to a pre-recorded programme aired on Luntha Television featuring social commentator Sylvester Namiwa, during which unverified and speculative claims concerning the Presidency were broadcast without sufficient editorial scrutiny, contextualisation, or challenge.
MCM says while it fully recognises and upholds the constitutional protections under Section 36 of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, which guarantees freedom of expression, press freedom, and the public’s right to information, these freedoms must always be exercised with professionalism and responsibility.
MCM Executive Director Moses Kaufa said the recent incidents serve as an important reminder that journalistic freedom carries with it an equally important obligation to ensure accuracy, fairness, and accountability.
“Press freedom is one of the cornerstones of our democracy, but it cannot exist without responsibility. Journalists and media institutions have a duty to verify information thoroughly before publication or broadcast.
Public confidence in the media depends on accuracy, fairness, and adherence to the highest ethical standards,” said Kaufa.
To strengthen media accountability, the Council has announced that it is engaging the editorial leadership of ZBS, Luntha Television, and MBC to review their internal editorial and fact-checking processes relating to the broadcasts.
Kaufa said MCM will also continue collaborating with the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), and other key stakeholders to reinforce professional standards, promote responsible journalism, and safeguard public trust in the country’s media.
He stressed that while the media remains an indispensable pillar of Malawi’s democracy, public trust can quickly be undermined when news organisations prioritise speed or sensationalism over verification and ethical reporting.
Kaufa has since called on all broadcasters, editors, and journalists to exercise sound editorial judgment, rigorous fact-checking, and the highest levels of professional ethics in the execution of their duties.
He said responsible journalism remains essential in protecting the integrity of the media and strengthening Malawi’s democratic governance.
