By Burnett Munthali
Morton Baghaya has taken to Facebook to express his strong opinions regarding the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) in their handling of fake news and online abuse.
In his post, Baghaya comments on a recent “special report” released by MBC, which aimed to expose misinformation and online abuse.
He aligns himself with MACRA and MBC’s concerns about the spread of false information but highlights that Malawi already has existing laws, such as libel and defamation laws, to deal with such issues.
Baghaya emphasizes that on his page, no individual has been directly labeled with defamatory words such as “thief,” “prostitute,” or “criminal.”
He points out that if such accusations were present, the affected individuals could seek legal redress through defamation laws, just as Alexious Manda did when he took legal action.
He further argues that when figures like Joyce Banda and Kamangira make direct allegations of murder or theft against others, they risk facing lawsuits.
However, he notes that no legal action has been taken against journalist Tamia for conducting background investigations.
Baghaya criticizes MBC for failing to acknowledge that misinformation exists across all media, including government censorship by omission.
He likens MBC’s failure to report government shortcomings to the biased content seen on social media pages aligned with political parties such as the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
He argues that MBC’s “special report” was neither balanced nor educational, instead serving as a confirmation bias exercise designed to portray the government as a victim.
Baghaya also criticizes the reporter behind the special report for failing to inform the public that misinformation is not limited to social media but also occurs in official government communications, such as the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
He further argues that the limited access given to opposition voices on MBC contributes to the station’s propaganda role.
Baghaya recalls that MBC Director General George Kasakula was once his senior at Nation Publications Limited and Times Media.
He expresses confidence that Kasakula understands the political dynamics at play and deliberately chooses to push the government’s agenda.
He describes MBC and the ruling party as different sides of the same coin, reinforcing the perception that the state broadcaster lacks independence.
Turning to MACRA, Baghaya criticizes the regulatory body for focusing on acquiring misinformation detection equipment while ignoring blatant falsehoods in local media.
He highlights examples such as advertisements for fake cancer cures and religious figures claiming their water brings financial prosperity, which he believes MACRA has failed to address.
He also questions whether MACRA enforces existing laws requiring state broadcasters to be fair and inclusive.
He sarcastically asks whether MBC has ever refused to cover church events while consistently ignoring opposition party activities.
According to Baghaya, MACRA selectively enforces regulations while failing to uphold the Communications Act in its entirety.
He directly questions whether MACRA’s Director General has even read the Communications Act.
Baghaya expresses frustration that MACRA and MBC did not engage independent media professionals before releasing their report.
He likens the state-controlled media environment in Malawi to that of China, where all sources align with the ruling government’s position.
He dismisses Daud Suleman and other MACRA officials, claiming that they would struggle to defend their arguments in a direct debate.
He accuses them of avoiding dialogue with independent voices because they are too entrenched in their political affiliations.
Baghaya boldly declares that if given the chance, he would shut down MBC, arguing that the broadcaster is part of the problem rather than the solution.
He claims that every government abuses MBC for political gain, making it a tool of the ruling elite rather than a national broadcaster.
He further argues that the current MBC leadership is dominated by Chewa individuals while waiting for Lhomwe politicians to regain control in future elections.
He ridicules MACRA for purchasing misinformation detection equipment while being the biggest spreaders of misinformation themselves.
He criticizes MACRA and MBC officials for being unqualified and accuses them of prioritizing political and personal interests over professionalism.
He dismisses them as opportunists who use their positions for personal gain rather than for the public good.
Baghaya concludes with a harsh critique of the culture of favoritism within MACRA and MBC, accusing them of prioritizing political connections over competence.
His post reflects deep frustration with Malawi’s media landscape, particularly the state’s role in shaping public narratives through biased reporting and selective regulation.
His comments are likely to fuel further debate on media independence and the role of regulatory bodies in upholding fair and balanced journalism in Malawi.
