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    Malawi: Government agency registers banned newspaper

    The Weekend Times, Malawi's evening tabloid which was banned by the government agency, The National Archives of Malawi, has been given a reprieve with an announcement that the ban has not only been lifted, but that the paper has now been registered. The National Archives of Malawi issued a statement indicating that the newspaper was duly registered on 19 May 2011.

    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.

    About Gregory Gondwe

    Gregory Gondwe is a Malawian journalist who started writing in 1993. He is also a media consultant assisting several international journalists pursuing assignments in Malawi. He holds a Diploma and an Intermediate Certificate in Journalism among other media-related certificates. He can be contacted on moc.liamg@ewdnogyrogerg. Follow him on Twitter at @Kalipochi.
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