Malawi: Government agency registers banned newspaper

The agency's acting director Joel Thaulo said the registration of the publication is a reminder that the Printed Publications Act of the Laws of Malawi requires that the newspaper should deposit a copy of every publication published by Blantyre Newspapers Limited (BNL), owners of the newspaper, or their agent for official custody in the National Archives of Malawi, and that failure to do so is punishable by law.

BNL general manager Dr. Tikhala Chibwana told a sister newspaper to the publication The Daily Times that the company was excited with the development.

Journalists to return to duties

"As Blantyre Newspapers, we are delighted with this development which will enable our journalists to go about their duties without fearing what next would happen to what is arguably one of the country's most popular publications," he is quoted as saying.

Chibwana said further that his company is pleased that the matter has been amicably resolved out of court, paving way for the registration of the paper and therefore putting an end to the banning order.

The Weekend Times was banned for non-registration in October last year.

"Rather reluctantly, Blantyre Newspapers took the matter to court to seek temporal relief while we engaged government in discussions," Chibwana said.