National Overview Malawi 2011 - Media Institute of Southern Africa

Malawiing the constitutionality of Section 46 ofthe Penal Code.The section, which was amended by parliamentin November 2010, empowersthe Minister of Information to ban eitherimportation or publication of materialswhich, according to the minister, are notin the public interest.CommuniquéDate: April 20, 2011Person/ institution: FergusCochrane-DyetViolation/ issue: LegislationGovernment authorities in Malawi aretight lipped over reports of expulsion ofBritish High Commissioner to Malawi,Fergus Cochrane-Dyet. According topublished reports, Dyet has been given72 hours from Monday, 19 April 2011,to leave the country. The reasons forthe British envoy’s expulsion were notclear as government had not yet issueda statement on the matter.CommuniquéDate: April 27, 2011Person/ institution: MediaViolation/ issue: OtherJournalists in Malawi on Saturday, 23April 2011, went to the street to march incommemoration of World Press FreedomDay (WPFD). The aim of the regionalcelebrations is to broaden participation.All journalists, media freedom andfreedom of expression advocates acrossthe country would be able to take part inthe celebrations.May 12, 2011: The 2011 World PressFreedom Day (WPFD) main celebrationswere held in style in Malawi as the eventwas for the first time since 2002 held inMzuzu City, Northern Malawi.Since 2010,MISA Malawi has been rotating maincelebrations for WPFD in all the regionsof the country to broaden participationand hype and excitement as both themedia and members of the public havean opportunity to take part in thecelebrations.AlertDate: June 22, 2011Person/ institution: DemocraticProgressive PartyViolation/ issue: LegislationThe ruling Democratic ProgressiveParty (DPP) has taken advantage of itsnumerical advantage in parliament topass a controversial injunctions bill intolaw. The bill calls for an inter-parteshearing whenever an injunction is beingsought against any arm of government.The bill further requires that governmentbe given notice of three days before theinter-partes hearing is conducted.CommuniquéDate: June 16, 2011Person/ institution: Weekend TimesViolation/ issue: VictoryThe government of Malawi has finallylifted a ban imposed on the WeekendTimes, a sensational weekly tabloidwhich had sought relief from the HighCourt to continue publishing after theban in October 2010. The newspaper wasbanned one year after its first edition becausethe paper was not registered withthe National Archives of Malawi.80So This is Democracy • 2011