Malawi: Blantyre accused of banning ads in Nation titles

Malawi's The Nation Publications group has published a two-page statement claiming to have evidence of a government directive withdrawing all official advertising from the company's titles, writes Sam Makaka for journalism.co.za.

The government denies the claim.

“Nation Publications Limited, a member of both the Media Council of Malawi and NAMISA and the proud publisher of the Nation, Weekend Nation, Nation on Sunday and FUKO, a fortnightly vernacular newspaper in Chichewa and Tumbuka, has noted with great concern the prohibition issued to government ministries, departments and parastatals to advertise in Nation Publications Limited publications on orders from above,” the press release begins.

It then describes its evidence, including a memo from the registrar’s office of The Polytechnic (University of Malawi branch) instructing all its directors that they should not advertise with the company.

It wrote to the office of the President and cabinet (OPC) about the ban, and was told in response that a decision had been taken to "drastically roll back costs associated with advertisements and production of commemorative items for national and international events.” The office said those not advertising with The Nation might possibly be responding to that call.

However, the company dismissed the argument, saying that other national newspapers are getting all government adverts.

Government spokesperson, Leckford Thotho who is Minister of Information, told the press recently that government has not issued any ban on advertising with NPL publications.

Timothy Nzima, NPL public relations officer said in an interview with journalism.co.za said that the ban will affect NPL seriously.

“Everywhere government is the biggest business partner therefore the ban will affect growth of our business thereby risking jobs of 244 employees of NPL,” said Nzima.

On possible reasons why government would want to ban adverts in NPL publications, Nzima said that he can only speculate. He said a few weeks ago a senior member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party was on state radio accusing some columnists in the daily Nation of being too critical of government.

Nzima quickly defended his company saying: “NPL is a very professional company and all its publications are well balanced but government hates criticism, but criticism is normal in democracy.”

Nzima asserted that freedom of the press and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights in every democratic system of government and that is what NPL is exercising so that they contribute to good governance.

- March 09, 2010 by Sam Makaka
.................

Source: www.journalism.co.za/index.php (accessed on 09.03.2010)