Malawi Elections:Commonwealth Not Happy with State Media Coverage

Dr. Bingu wa MutharikaThe Commonwealth's interim report said that "the overwhelming impact of the exploitation of the incumbency advantage, especially the unashamed bias of the state TV and radio, created a markedly unlevel playing field, tarnishing the otherwise democratic character of the campaign."

The report continued: "We are extremely concerned at the conduct of state-owned media in its coverage of these elections. The Election Law provides that every political party shall have the right to have its 'campaign propaganda’ broadcast on radio by the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation. In addition, major media had all signed a code of conduct highlighting the need for balanced and fair reporting.

"However, reporting and coverage of the President and DPP's campaign by state radio and TV was unashamedly partisan...

"In the weeks leading up to the day of the election the President and his party were afforded over 97 percent of airtime. At the same time, the same media refused to provide virtually any access to other candidates and parties or to abide by agreements to air party political broadcasts.

"Conversely, it was reported that Joy FM, a private radio station which offered extensive coverage to the opposition, was closed down on the eve of the election by police for allegedly breaking the campaign silence.

"We were pleased that more balanced coverage of the election was provided by some private radio stations, such as Zodiac and Capital, which is an encouraging development. While some opposition parties did have access to coverage in newspapers and private radio stations, this in no way compensates for the blanket coverage afforded to the President and the governing party by the state-owned media."

Former Ghanaian president John Kufuor, heading a team of Commonwealth election observers, said election day had been peaceful and the voting process well managed, but key benchmarks for democratic elections had not been met.

Kadima’s Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA), said in its interim report that the elections had so far been held "in conformity" with SADC principles on election management and monitoring.

But it suggested that the ruling party had more access to campaign finance and state media than the opposition. The governing DPP had “significantly more campaign material than other political parties. The mission received several reports of allegations of the use of state resources for campaign purposes by the incumbent party. The... mission was not in a position to verify these allegations although it views them most seriously."

EISA also deplored what it termed "hate speech" during the campaign.

"Malawi Television and the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation failed to provide equitable access to all parties," it added. "Their coverage excessively favoured the DPP.”