By George Mkandawire
The Malawi government last week failed to close down a private owned radio station, Joy Radio.

Reports indicate that the Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) board meeting in the capital city, Lilongwe resolved to shut down the station Wednesday (23 July) following a directive from the country’s president Bingu Mutharika.

According to a source the board agreed to revoke the radio’s transmitting license with no reason stated.

Malawians across the country condemned government’s stand as unfortunate saying closing Joy Radio will be killing them as they mostly really on the station to give them real news.

Other reports say donors threatened to stop supporting the country if it goes ahead with its decision to close the station.

Some days ago during the signing of the media code of conduct for the forth coming Malawi’s presidential and parliamentary elections, Patricia Kaliati, Information and Civic Education minister ordered MACRA to withdraw the station’s license, arguing that country’s Communications Act does not allow politicians to own radio stations.

Joy Radio is owned by the country’s former president Dr Bakili Muluzi who is also presidential candidate for the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) torch bearer in next year’s polls,
Before these threats, the state house has been threatening to deport the station’s manager, Peter Chisale claiming Chisale is not Malawian but Zambian.

Later after the State House’s statement signed by press officer Chikumbutso Mtumodzi, immigration officials interrogated Chisale’s mother in his home district.

Human rights organizations condemned the development describing it as a sign of an oppressive regime bent to muzzle the country’s free press.

In a press statement dated July 9, Mtumodzi accused the opposition UDF, its chairperson former president Dr Bakili Muluzi and Chisale of being architects of the alleged disinformation campaign against the president and the Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Chisale argued that Joy Radio is a private commercial station that abides by the code of conduct as stipulated in the Communications Act.

MACRA has been on several occasion a stabling block to Malawi’s communication and information development because of non independence as it gets consent from government.

The board closed Joy Television a sister to Joy Radio some months ago.

In Southern African Community it is only Malawi and Zimbabwe who have each state controlled telecast.