Capital Radio Malawi
Encyclopedia
Capital Radio Malawi is a radio station in Malawi
that was launched on 29 March 1999 by journalist Alaudin Osman.
The station broadcasts across all three regions of Malawi, and covers the urban centers of Blantyre
, Zomba, Lilongwe
, Mangochi
and Mzuzu
. Programming follows an Adult Contemporary format, including various musical genres, news, information and entertainment.
The bulk of content is music and entertainment.
In January 2001, United Alliance Media of South Africa
took an equity position in the radio station.
In May 2004, the director of Capital Radio told the Agence France-Presse
news agency that four of its reporters had been arrested for broadcasting an "inflammatory interview" with opposition spokesperson Kholiwe Mkandawire.
On 20 September 2005, Capital Radio Malawi challenged the Protected Emblems and Names Act of 1967, which limits media freedom in Malawi.
On 14 September 2005, police had arrested opposition leader Gwanda Chakuamba
for violating this law at a political rally where he allegedly insulted President Bingu wa Mutharika
. Capital Radio had broadcast his speech live.
Al Osman asked his lawyers to lodge an appeal with the High Court asking it to declare the legislation unconstitutional.
On 22 February 2009, Capital Radio broadcast an interview with Bakili Muluzi
, who accused the government of using intimidation against his presidential candidacy and warned that such conduct could lead to "problems".
Capital Radio's Straight Talk is a popular program where well known people can air their views.
In April 2010, the program included an interview with Deputy Minister in the Office of President and Cabinet, Nicholas Dausi. Dausi talked at length, but despite close questioning was evasive about his role in the government.
Speaking in January 2011 on Straight Talk, George Chaponda
, Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, said the Air Fouling legislation
in the proposed Local Courts
bill banned farting in public places. After the story made headlines in the world press, he was forced to retract this statement.
In February 2011, Alaudin Osman, who is also the Executive member of the Media Council of Malawi, signed an agreement with the government in which the media committed to refrain from reporting stories that would destroy the image and credibility of the country.
Malawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
that was launched on 29 March 1999 by journalist Alaudin Osman.
The station broadcasts across all three regions of Malawi, and covers the urban centers of Blantyre
Blantyre, Malawi
Blantyre or Mandala is Malawi's centre of finance and commerce, the largest city with an estimated 732,518 inhabitants . It is sometimes referred to as the commercial capital of Malawi as opposed to the political capital, Lilongwe...
, Zomba, Lilongwe
Lilongwe
Lilongwe, estimated population 902,388 as of 2009, is the capital and largest city of Malawi. It lies in the country's central region, on the Lilongwe River, near the border of Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, and on the main north-south highway of Malawi, the M1.-History:The city started life as a...
, Mangochi
Mangochi
Mangochi is a township in the Southern Region of Malawi. Located near the southern end of Lake Malawi, in colonial times it used to be called Fort Johnston. As of 2008 it has a population of 51,429.-History:...
and Mzuzu
Mzuzu
Mzuzu is the capital of Malawi's Northern Region and is the third largest city, by population, in Malawi. The City has 128,432 residents plus 20,000 commuters with about 1.7 million people living around the outskirts of the city...
. Programming follows an Adult Contemporary format, including various musical genres, news, information and entertainment.
The bulk of content is music and entertainment.
In January 2001, United Alliance Media of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
took an equity position in the radio station.
In May 2004, the director of Capital Radio told the Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse is a French news agency, the oldest one in the world, and one of the three largest with Associated Press and Reuters. It is also the largest French news agency. Currently, its CEO is Emmanuel Hoog and its news director Philippe Massonnet...
news agency that four of its reporters had been arrested for broadcasting an "inflammatory interview" with opposition spokesperson Kholiwe Mkandawire.
On 20 September 2005, Capital Radio Malawi challenged the Protected Emblems and Names Act of 1967, which limits media freedom in Malawi.
On 14 September 2005, police had arrested opposition leader Gwanda Chakuamba
Gwanda Chakuamba
Gwandaguluwe "Gwanda" Chakuamba Phiri is a prominent Malawian politician who is currently the leader of the New Republican Party . He is from the lower Shire Valley area in southern Malawi....
for violating this law at a political rally where he allegedly insulted President Bingu wa Mutharika
Bingu wa Mutharika
Bingu wa Mutharika is a Malawi economist who is President of Malawi. He took office on 24 May 2004 after winning a disputed presidential election...
. Capital Radio had broadcast his speech live.
Al Osman asked his lawyers to lodge an appeal with the High Court asking it to declare the legislation unconstitutional.
On 22 February 2009, Capital Radio broadcast an interview with Bakili Muluzi
Bakili Muluzi
Elson Bakili Muluzi is a Malawian politician. He was the President of Malawi from 1994 to 2004 and was Chairman of the United Democratic Front until 2009.-Presidency:...
, who accused the government of using intimidation against his presidential candidacy and warned that such conduct could lead to "problems".
Capital Radio's Straight Talk is a popular program where well known people can air their views.
In April 2010, the program included an interview with Deputy Minister in the Office of President and Cabinet, Nicholas Dausi. Dausi talked at length, but despite close questioning was evasive about his role in the government.
Speaking in January 2011 on Straight Talk, George Chaponda
George Chaponda
Dr. George T. Chaponda born , is a Malawian diplomat and politician. He is currently the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs....
, Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, said the Air Fouling legislation
2011 Malawian Air Fouling Legislation
The 2011 Malawian Air Fouling Legislation is a section of the Local Courts bill submitted to the parliament of Malawi in February 2011 that bans fouling the air. When the Minister of Justice claimed that the bill made farting in public illegal, the story made headlines around the world...
in the proposed Local Courts
Traditional Courts in Malawi
In Malawi a system of Traditional Courts have been used for much of the twentieth century to prosecute crimes and mediate disputes. The current government of Malawi has proposed an expansion of this system...
bill banned farting in public places. After the story made headlines in the world press, he was forced to retract this statement.
In February 2011, Alaudin Osman, who is also the Executive member of the Media Council of Malawi, signed an agreement with the government in which the media committed to refrain from reporting stories that would destroy the image and credibility of the country.