Survey backs media on Joyce Banda

Is the media too critical of the President? The answer depends on who you are.

Malawi President Joyce Banda believes the media in Malawi is irritating and has an agenda against her. In her world and words, the media can kill a sitting president and it is why she does not read local newspapers or watch MBC TV.

That is Joyce Banda.

But a survey Nation on Sunday has been running over the last seven days has revealed that some people disagree with her thinking.

Out of 1 021 respondents in the nationwide survey, 793 said the media is not too critical of the President. This represents 77 percent of the sample.

Chairperson of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa), Malawi Chapter, Anthony Kasunda, said it is not surprising that government believes the media is too critical.

“It is not too critical. It is just doing its job. We are not supposed to be bedfellows with government. We wouldn’t provide checks and balances if we did. When government acts that way, it only confirms that the media is doing its job,” said Kasunda.

Asked about the relationship between government and the media, government spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu on Saturday said the two have always had a cordial relationship.

He refused to comment on the President’s recent outbursts against the media.

“What we are saying as government is that the media should always be professional and help in the development of this country,” said Kunkuyu.