MACRA, MISA Malawi call for responsible election coverage.

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) and the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi have issued strong reminders to broadcasters and political actors on the importance of professionalism, ethics, and respect for the rule of law in election coverage.

In a statement released Friday 19th September 2025, signed by Daud Suleman, Director General of MACRA has cautioned broadcasters against announcing official election results, reaffirming that only the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is legally mandated to declare the official outcomes of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government polls.

“Broadcasters are reminded to label any election results they release as ‘unofficial’ unless confirmed by MEC,” said Suleman.

He further warned against airing inflammatory content that could incite violence or disturb public order.

“It emphasized the importance of adhering strictly to the Communications Act, urging all media outlets to contribute to credible, peaceful, and transparent elections,” reads communication in part.

In a separate statement, MISA Malawi commended the media for their tremendous performance in keeping the public informed throughout the electoral process.

Chairperson of MISA Malawi, Golden Matonga praised journalists for their dedication and urged them to remain firm in their constitutional duty.

“Live updates of unofficial results are a vital tool for transparency and public accountability.

“We encourage the media to continue providing real-time, accurate updates at every stage of the electoral process,” said Matonga.

However, Matonga also issued a stern warning to political parties and individual politicians who have been intimidating or attacking journalists, labeling such conduct as unacceptable and undemocratic.

“Any attempts to erode public trust in the media or interfere with its responsibilities undermine democracy itself,” he added.

MISA Malawi reinforced the constitutional backing that the press enjoys in Malawi, citing Section 36 and Section 37 of the Constitution which guarantee media freedom and the public’s right to access information.

“Section 37 Guarantees every Malawian the right to access information held by the state and relevant private bodies. These provisions make it not only a professional duty but also a constitutional obligation for journalists to inform the public during such critical times,” Matonga added.

He again, encouraged citizens to report any unethical behaviour by journalists through proper channels starting with the management of the media house and then to self regulatory bodies such as MISA Malawi and the Media Council of Malawi (MCM).

He emphasized that while media freedom is protected it must be exercised responsibly to avoid misinformation, fake news and potential public unrest.

2025 elections are among the most closely watched since the landmark 2020 court sanctioned presidential rerun, which was hailed as a victory for democracy in Africa. This year’s elections see millions of Malawians heading to the polls with high expectations of free, fair and transparent outcomes.

Over 7 million registered voters have participating in choosing their next leaders with dozens of parties and independent candidates vying for positions at every level of government.