Media Council of Malawi Criticises Zodiak, Luntha TV Over 'Unverified' Reports

• The Media Council of Malawi has criticized broadcasters' coverage of President Peter Mutharika for lapses in journalistic standards.
• Reports aired by Zodiak Broadcasting Station and MBC Digital alleging that President Mutharika had departed Malawi were later found to be inaccurate.
• The regulator has warned against relying on single, unconfirmed sources when reporting breaking news involving matters of national importance.
• Media houses have been urged to strengthen their internal verification processes to prevent reputational damage and potential regulatory action.

Malawi's media regulator, the Media Council of Malawi (MCM), has expressed deep concern over two separate incidents involving broadcasters' coverage of President Peter Mutharika. The incidents have generated public anxiety, misinformation, and ethical debate across the country. According to the MCM, reports aired by Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) and MBC Digital alleging that President Mutharika had departed Malawi were later found to be inaccurate and retracted by the broadcasters. This incident highlights the importance of verifying information before broadcasting it to the public. The MCM has reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom under Section 36 of Malawi's Constitution, but emphasized that such protections come hand in hand with professional responsibility.

The Media Council of Malawi has criticized the handling of pre-recorded content by broadcasters, arguing that such programmes give newsrooms ample opportunity to catch problematic claims before broadcast. However, in this case, the Council suggests that opportunities were squandered, leading to the airing of unverified and sensational claims. The regulator has warned that broadcasting such claims without editorial intervention or demanding proof from guests constitutes a grave failure of gatekeeping. Journalists have a professional duty to challenge assumptions, demand evidence for extraordinary claims, and ensure that opinion or speculation is never presented as established fact.

The Media Council of Malawi has called on media houses to strengthen their internal verification processes to prevent reputational damage and potential regulatory action. The regulator has also cautioned against relying solely on statutory bodies such as the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) to enforce standards, urging media houses to take responsibility for ensuring accuracy and accountability in their reporting. The Council is formally engaging with editorial leadership at ZBS, Luntha TV, and MBC to examine their internal verification processes and will continue working alongside other media stakeholders to safeguard professional standards across the industry.

The Media Council of Malawi's intervention highlights the importance for broadcasters to ensure accuracy and accountability in their reporting, particularly when covering matters of national importance. Lawyers advising media houses should review internal verification processes to prevent reputational damage and potential regulatory action.

Source: Original reporting via AllAfrica Malawi