National Overview Malawi 2011 - Media Institute of Southern Africa

4.5 percent of the population uses theInternet. Low levels of computer literacy,high cost of Internet services, poor infrastructureand scarcity of electricity aresome of the major setbacks to advancesin ICT and telecommunications. Furthermore,the Communications Act (1998) isoutdated and permits incessant politicalinterference in telecommunicationsbusiness.Gender relationsIn order to create a gender-consciousmedia practice, news media organisationshave drafted and implementedgender policies. In February 2011, overten media houses launched organisationalgender policies with support fromGender Links. While institutionalisationof gender in media workplaces is a verysignificant step in efforts towards developinga gender-equal media practice,further monitoring and support for thisinitiative is required. Currently genderblind,blatant gender stereotyping andsubtle gender stereotyping remain anissue in media content. But overall,every media outlet has deliberately givenprominence to gender-based violenceand promoted content on gender andHIV/AIDS.New Media and Social MediaMalawian journalists have embracedthe online news medium as a democratisationtool. Most media houses haveonline publications and the number ofstand-alone online news sites has increased.These sites have many interactivefeatures for user participationincluding facilities for user-generatedcontent.Many journalists practice blogging asa form of journalism to circumvent editorialor self-censorship in mainstreammedia houses. The media also participatein reflective professional forums, suchas the Google group, MISA-Malawi e-forum, where critique of media performanceis the main focus.During the mass demonstration on20 July, the online medium was the mostreliable and accessed source of information,especially when MACRA bannedlive broadcast of events related to theprotests. Sharing of information throughsocial networks has become a vital toolfor democratisation in Malawi especiallywhen mainstream media are gagged bygovernment or editorial policies.ConclusionThe resilience in troubled times andnoble task that the media in Malawiperformed in 2011 are milestones in thedevelopment of a mature media democracy.The media continue to actively participatein nation building even underpolitical hostility and economic crisis.The advocacy networks and resolve todefend media freedom are influencinggovernment decisions as is evident inthe way retrogressive laws were sent forlegal review.The economic crisis, impunity of theruling elite, legacy of old draconian lawsand low media penetration in Malawiare major challenges, which require interventionand monitoring in 2012. TheSo This is Democracy • 2011 71