By Jones Gadama
A formal complaint has been lodged against Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Director General George Kasakula, accusing him of unprofessional conduct and biased reporting.
The Concerned Citizens of Malawi – People Power Movement (CCM-PPM) wrote to Kasakula, expressing their deep alarm and outrage over the blatant disregard for professionalism, neutrality, and ethical journalism under his leadership.
According to the complaint, MBC has abandoned its mandate as a public service broadcaster, instead becoming a partisan mouthpiece that spews propaganda against opposition leaders while shielding the failures of the ruling administration.
The CCM-PPM cited the recent pattern of coverage at MBC, which has taken an aggressive stance against opposition figures, particularly Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM), Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, and other presidential contenders.
The complaint also took issue with Kasakula’s decision to label Dr. Kabambe a “political fraud,” which was described as reckless and a desperate attempt to shape public opinion through distortion rather than truth.
The CCM-PPM questioned the motives behind such labeling, asking what would be said about those who made grand promises of economic prosperity but led the nation into economic hardship.
The group reminded Kasakula of the tragic lessons from Rwanda, where divisive and irresponsible media rhetoric fueled conflict.
They warned that using MBC as a platform to attack and dehumanize political opponents would be playing with fire, leading to instability and violence.
The CCM-PPM demanded the immediate cessation of biased political reporting at MBC, calling on Kasakula to rise above partisan interests and uphold journalistic integrity.
They cautioned that failure to do so would result in Kasakula being remembered as a leader who buried the credibility of MBC, rather than strengthening public broadcasting.
Kasakula, a former Editor In-Chief of Times Group, was appointed as MBC Director General in 2021.
At the time, it was hoped that he would bring about positive change to the institution.
However, the recent complaint suggests that Kasakula’s leadership has fallen short of expectations.
The development has raised concerns about the state of public broadcasting in Malawi and the need for media institutions to maintain their independence and impartiality.
As the country prepares for future elections, the role of MBC and other media outlets will be crucial in shaping public opinion and promoting democratic values.
