Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has barred media houses from broadcasting the association’s elections live on radio stations from the venue.
The association is expected to go to polls to elect new office bearers in which incumbent president Walter Nyamilandu is facing Super League of Malawi (Sulom) President Fleetwood Haiya for the top seat.
In a statement released yesterday, Fam said those willing to broadcast the elections live on radio should do so from outside the venue by following the live broadcast on Mpira Television channel.
“Due to lack of space as the AGM will be conducted in [a] 100-seater room at Mzuzu Hotel, the numbers for media are limited.Mpira TV will produce the whole event which will be streamed live on Fam Facebook page, Fam Youtube Channel, Mpira TV (on Zuku, Azam and StarSat) and Mpira TV Facebook page.
“Apart from the Mpira TV camera crew, no other camera operators will be allowed in the venue and all TV stations will be provided with a clean footage of the whole event immediately after production,” the statement reads.
The statement further says only a limited number of reporters will be accredited to cover the event.
This is the first time the association has barred radio stations from covering the event live.
In addition, Fam has said it will engage an in[1]house photographer for the event, which means photographers from media houses, both public and private, are not allowed.
Misa Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga said they would engage Fam on the matter.
“We will engage Fam to see how best we can ensure that the media has access to report and cover the elections without much hindrance.
“Sports, and football in particular, trascends all spheres of life. The public has huge interest in this national sport and the elections are an important event with the media as a key stakeholder in ensuring a transparent and credible process,” Matonga said.
Both Nyamilandu and Haiya launched their manifestos ahead of this coming Saturday’s polls.
