(MISA/IFEX) – The Malawi Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Malawi) has strongly condemned its government’s delays in enacting the long-awaited Communications Bill and thereby liberalising the communications sector. **Updates IFEX alert of 14 May 1998** In a strongly worded protest letter sent to the Speaker of Parliament, Rodwell Munyenyembe, and copied to […]
(MISA/IFEX) – The Malawi Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa
(MISA-Malawi) has strongly condemned its government’s delays in enacting the
long-awaited
Communications Bill and thereby liberalising the communications sector.
**Updates IFEX alert of 14 May 1998**
In a strongly worded protest letter sent to the Speaker of Parliament,
Rodwell Munyenyembe, and copied to the Attorney General’s Chambers,
MISA-Malawi National Director, Bentry Mndhluli, observed with concern the
government’s lack of commitment to enact the Bill during the forthcoming
sitting of Parliament, which opens on 22 May 1998 in Lilongwe (the capital
city).
MISA-Malawi notes that the Draft Communications Bill is missing from the
schedule of bills lined up for debate during the five-week sitting.
The “Daily Times”, in their 21 May issue, quoted Munyenyembe as saying the
Bill had not been submitted to his office for the required 21-day notice in
the official government gazette, which is required before it can be
presented to Parliament. However, Deputy Clerk of Parliament, Fahad Assani,
told MISA-Malawi that there was still a chance for the Bill to be submitted
to Parliament in time for debate during the current session. “What is needed
so far is for the Attorney General’s Chambers to submit the bill to us”,
Assani said.
In the protest letter to Munyenyembe, MISA-Malawi urged the government to
stop its foot-dragging and respond to the wishes of Malawians by enacting
the Bill that will give them an opportunity to be heard on the public funded
radio. “We call upon your good offices to ensure that legislation that is
crucial in the path to participatory democracy is put in place without
unnecessary hindrances”, the protest said.
Meanwhile, MISA-Malawi, joined by a dozen of its human rights
non-governmental organisation (NGO) allies, is organising a consultative
meeting for 22 May to strategise on future action. The chapter is also
planning to demonstrate, carrying placards, at the
gates of the New State House as President Muluzi’s motorcade drives in for
the opening
ceremony. So far, local NGOs, such as the Centre for Human Rights and
Rehabilitation (CHRR), the Malawi Institute of Democratic and Economic
Affairs (MIDEA) and the Centre for Advice, Research and Education on Rights,
have pledged solidarity with MISA-Malawi and will participate in the planned
demonstrations.
The Communications Bill was drafted by a government-appointed task force
comprising key ministries, including the Law Commissioner. It came after
MISA-Malawi, ARTICLE 19 and the Civil Liberties Committee petitioned the Law
Commissioner to reform the 1991 Malawi Broadcasting Corporation Act to
conform to the prevailing democratic dispensation.
