Felix Njawala’s open letter to MBC Director General George Kasakula highlights the dangers of turning a national institution into a tool for political propaganda, questioning journalistic integrity, accountability, and the future of Malawian democracy.
In Malawi, the role of public media has always carried immense responsibility.
The Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) is more than a broadcaster; it is an institution that should uphold truth, inform citizens, and maintain impartiality.
Yet, concerns have mounted over recent developments, as highlighted in Felix Njawala’s open letter to MBC Director General George Kasakula.
Njawala begins by emphasizing the weight of history that rests upon Kasakula’s shoulders.
He argues that instead of charting a professional and ethical course, Kasakula has aligned himself with a tradition of propagandists who sought to manipulate public perception.
According to Njawala, these propagandists believed they could silence opposition, attack critics, and defend governments whose grip on power was weakening.
Today, Njawala asserts, Kasakula continues this pattern, allegedly using MBC to discredit prominent political figures, including Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and Dr. Dalitso Kabambe.
The letter warns that one of these men may one day occupy the highest office in the land.
At that point, Njawala notes, the loud narratives of the state broadcaster will no longer matter, as the will of the people will prevail.
No amount of scripted commentary or politically motivated slander can alter the democratic outcome.
Njawala calls attention to a recent accusation made on MBC against Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, labeling him a “political fraud.”
He describes this as an act of desperation, noting that such attacks reveal a lack of credibility rather than exposing any genuine wrongdoing.
Njawala counters that Kabambe is an accomplished economist and technocrat whose contributions to policy-making are significant.
He contrasts Kabambe’s credentials with those of individuals whose only qualification, Njawala argues, is reading a party script on air.
The open letter also situates Kasakula within a historical continuum of media figures who tried to control political narratives.
Steve Maseya and the late Hope Chisanu, Njawala reminds, once attempted similar tactics to suppress dissent, only to be swept aside when political change occurred.
The warning is clear: history has proven that state-controlled narratives cannot indefinitely prevent political transformation.
Njawala then invokes Benson Tembo, a former media leader who prioritized professionalism over political allegiance.
Tembo serves as an example of integrity, demonstrating that while governments may change, journalistic ethics must remain steadfast.
Njawala laments that Kasakula, despite moving from Times Media to MBC, appears to have abandoned such principles.
He calls on Kasakula to reflect on the fate of his predecessors and the legacy he wishes to leave behind.
The open letter even cites Proverbs 24:32, urging Kasakula to observe, learn, and apply wisdom from history.
Njawala asserts that MBC’s role as a propaganda machine has never prevented political change, referencing the democratic milestones of 1994, 2004, and 2020.
He emphasizes that no government has ever been preserved by state-sponsored deception.
According to Njawala, if Kasakula believes his actions serve the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), he is mistaken.
Even JZU Tembo, one of MCP’s most astute strategists, recognized the limitations of biased media and allocated just one tambala to MBC in protest of its partiality.
History, Njawala stresses, is the only constant in politics; governments may celebrate temporary victories, but change is inevitable.
The letter makes it clear that MBC’s tactics of discrediting opposition figures have failed before and are likely to fail again.
When they do, Njawala warns, Kasakula will be held accountable for his role in undermining the credibility of the institution.
He frames this not as a personal attack but as free advice from someone with a long view of Malawian politics and media.
Njawala places the responsibility squarely on Kasakula, stating that the director general’s legacy is a matter of choice.
He poses a rhetorical challenge: will Kasakula be remembered as a journalist who upheld truth, or as another footnote in the history of those who gambled their careers for fleeting political gain?
The letter underscores a broader concern: the erosion of journalistic integrity in Malawi.
When a national broadcaster is perceived as partisan, it undermines public trust, diminishes the quality of information, and weakens democratic processes.
Citizens rely on institutions like MBC to provide balanced reporting, especially during politically sensitive periods such as elections.
When that trust is breached, the consequences are severe — misinformation can mislead voters, distort public debate, and erode accountability.
Njawala’s warning is therefore both immediate and strategic, targeting the core principles of responsible media leadership.
He insists that Kasakula must reconsider the path he has taken, advocating for professionalism and ethical conduct over political expedience.
The letter is a reminder that leaders of public institutions serve the people, not transient political interests.
It also places a spotlight on the culture of media in Malawi, where historical precedents have shown that bias, when left unchecked, harms both democracy and the institution itself.
Njawala’s message resonates beyond MBC; it is a call to all journalists and media managers to recognize the enduring importance of credibility, fairness, and accountability.
He stresses that the temptation to defend a ruling party through selective coverage may bring short-term gains but invariably damages long-term institutional integrity.
This narrative highlights the tension between power and principle — a challenge faced not only by Kasakula but by all public servants entrusted with authority.
In conclusion, Njawala’s open letter is a detailed critique, a historical lesson, and a moral appeal.
It urges reflection, integrity, and professional courage in the face of political pressure.
MBC’s role, as a public broadcaster, must transcend partisanship, providing impartial information that empowers citizens and strengthens democracy.
Ultimately, Njawala’s plea is simple: the choices made today will define not only Kasakula’s legacy but also the credibility of Malawi’s media for generations to come.
The clock is indeed ticking, and history will judge those who prioritize loyalty to a party over loyalty to truth.
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