Joy Radio wins case against state
Blantyre Magistrate court dismissed the case on Tuesday, 8 September 2009, after the state failed to produce material objective evidence to prove their case against the broadcaster. The court also acquitted two journalists from the radio who were arrested and detained in connection with the matter.
In his ruling Principal Magistrate Mzondi Mvula found wanting, Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority's (MACRA) order that satirical programme broadcasted in one of Malawi's vernacular, which was on air in the wee hours of the polling day, be stopped and the radio be closed.
MACRA was of the view that the radio was broadcasting campaign material after the closure of the official election campaign and therefore it wanted the courts to rule that the radio had violated the law.
The state is yet to indicate whether it is going to appeal against the ruling or not.
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.
