Benson sent on forced leave over election coverage

Malawi Broadcasting Cooperation Director General Benson Tembo has been sent on forced leave for failing to take lawful instructions from authorities.

Evans Namanja, MBC board chairman directed the immediate leave of Tembo in a letter today.

“I am directed by government that you should proceed on leave with immediate effect until further notice for failure to take instructions from authorities,” reads the short directive by Namanja.

Tembo confirmed to Nation Online this development saying he suspects the professional coverage of the elections might have raffled a few feathers.

“I suspect the reason might be because of the way we covered the President on Thursday, I am not sure,” he said.

Yesterday, MBCtv and radio did not broadcast live president Joyce Banda’s press briefing. The station recorded president Banda’s press briefing and aired it in equal segments with other presidential candidates.