MBC grappling with huge debts, tax arrears: Begs Malawi Parliament for additional funds

State controlled  Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) says a K108m  unremitted taxes and other debt is choking its operations and has begged legislators for an additional K1 billion for coverage of the 2019 Tripartite Election.

MBC boss Sumbuleta and Controller of News, Current Affairs and Online Service at MBC Vincent Khonyongwa

MBC director general Aubrey Sumbuleta said this when he appeared before the parliamentary media cluster committee.

He was however elusive on accusations  of the radio and television’s strong bias towards the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Sumbuleta said the K108 million tax arrears has been accumulated in the past year after government cleared it of an initial K7 billion.

He said the accumulation of the new set of tax arrears is as a result of low funding.

“Initially we were given a monthly funding of K149m this was reduced to K129m a month which was further reduced to K70m a month,” he said.

He told the committee that this erratic monthly funding forced MBC not to release all tax collected to MRA.

In addition, he said MBC owes MASM K11 million.

He said the state broadcaster asked for K3.9 billion in this year’s budget but only got  K1.8bn.

In addition, Sumbuleta said MBC will need K1 billion for coverage of elections.

Sumbuleta trashed concerns of MBC bias towards the ruling party.

Said Sumbuleta: “What people should know is that the problem has been rectified and, we now have a misconception that has made the public not to accept us to the extent of even refusing to give us an interview. [For instance] the MCP president [Lazarus Chakwera] doesn’t want to give us an interview for fear that we can twist the facts.”

He said the core function of MBC, just like any media organisation is to inform, educate and entertain.

Media Committee vice-chairperson Godfrey Mukhondiya, who chaired the cluster, said  parliament would do all it can to bail out MBC out of its debt.

He said: “I am hopeful they will gradually change.”

During the first term (from 2004 to 2009) of president Bingu wa Mutharika, the then opposition-dominated National Assembly denied MBC funding, allocating it a nominal K1 over its perceived bias.

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Chayamba
Chayamba
5 years ago

Let them get the funding from Ngongoliwa, Kyungu, Lundu and others.

JOHN
JOHN
5 years ago

JUST GIVE THEM MWK1.

THEY DONT DESERVE MY TAX THESE GUYS. MUSAWAMVERE ANYANI AMENEWA.

Mwinithengo Azidya Papakulu
Mwinithengo Azidya Papakulu
5 years ago

Let me warn those MPs approving the violence perpetuating media house to be given the requested money.Once they get funding they will fly over and even plant spying cameras in leaders will kill us all.Media house promotes hate and insults opposition and entire malawians who feeds it with tax money only to be insulted.They only deserve MK0.50t.Anthu oipa achina Sumbuleta

Fillipo
Fillipo
5 years ago

PHILLIP BUSINESS GO AND ASK SAUL RASHID ITS JUST EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOW. UZAYENDA MBULANDA AFTER YOUR BOSSES DUMP YOU IN 2019

Laweyi
Laweyi
5 years ago

DONT GIVE MBC ANY MONEY AND THEY GET FUNDING MY TAPAYERS WILL BE STOPPED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS AND LET MRA KNOW IT.

Chabuwa
Chabuwa
5 years ago

they do not serve Malawians let them ask money from their masters. Please do not give them anything it would be a waste of our taxes.

Yachimwa
5 years ago

Yachimwa Sumbuleya wakwera ya Chilima iiiiiii

Kibaki
Kibaki
5 years ago

Close close close it please.After all we are ok with TIMES AND ZODIAK Tv.
Even this guy called Sumbuleta, wasnt he ashamed when he was asking for additional funding. Ok fine, fund them with K1.

Kibaki
Kibaki
5 years ago

MBC must infact be closed indefinitely. The Phillip Business behaves. Please parliamenterians DO NOT give these bastards any funding anymore

Gebuza
Gebuza
5 years ago

Musalore Kupereka ndrama ku MBC yonena zopusa

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