Macra is govt propertyKaliati BY Caroline Somanje 08:20:31 - 27 April 2007
Information and Tourism Minister Patricia Kaliati says Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) can never be independent as it is government property.
Kalati said this in response to criticisms against her decision to deny a company affiliated to former Attorney General Ralph Kasambara a television license because he has been challenging Macras directives in court.
Do the people running our country know that it is the working man and ordinary citizens that pay them? It seems like they think they are untouchables who can do anything even to stifle efforts by their "masters" to better themselves. These people must be educated as to their duties and respon lies to serving every citizen irregardless of their color, creed, beliefs and political affiliations. Without this MALAWI shall not develop to its full potential.
Sad huh? I wouldn't trust some of our ministers to run a corner store (seriously, I wouldn't. This isn't an insult), let alone control national policy. Malawi's already had 2 strikes (Kamuzu, Atcheya). This is begining to look like a definite third. If Malawi was a company I'd be contemplating a sell off or liquidation at this point.
There is nothing you and i can do, i assure you! we can even cry and breed to death, what the DPP iron lady has said will hold till you and i decide to chuck her and her party out of the system. Ralph Kasambara (RK) will seek injuctions, The Human rights groups will make all the necessary noises, but i assure you again, all that will achieve nothing because; 1. DPP is in Power 2. Patricia Kaliati is the Minister of Infomation 3. MACRA Board of Directors are political appointees 4. MACRA falls under the Information ministry whose ministry is headed by this Iron Lady.
Besides, if RK is given the TV License, in thier opinion, it will be used commercially ofcause, by the DPP's political opponets to AIR LIVE some cheap propaganda of discredting the current administration. If you ask me, i blame Atcheya for not awarding himself a TV license like he did with JOY Radio when he was in power! Atleast we would have had something different to that cheap TV station we currently cant do without.