Agenzia Fides REPORT -Bishops say after 2009 elections, “hopes are slowly fading away”, democracy at risk
“When we emerged from the 2009 elections, our hopes were high for peace, stability and development for all. Somewhat more than a year later our hopes are slowly fading away,” says a message from the Malawian Bishops' Conference, a copy of which was sent to Fides. The document was read on Sunday, October 31 in all the churches in the country. The 8-page declaration was published in three languages: English, chichewa, and chitumbuka. The bishops, while recognizing the progress made in the country in the past year (especially in terms of food self-sufficiency and some infrastrucures), express their concern for the political situation that could present a risk to democracy. In particular, the message highlights the divisions that exist within the government's party and the lack of a wide debate on several reforms being discussed in Parliament. The bishops also express their concern for the situation of the media and freedom of the press: “Informed decisions are made by an informed public. The public media, paid with taxpayers money, have to ensure that the general public remains informed. However, we note with dismay the continuous unbalanced reporting and news coverage. The public media are used to castigate faith-based and non-governmental organizations that offer alternative contributions to various policies. Besides that the private media have been threatened with closure if they are perceived to be ‘unpatriotic’.”The distribution of food in the most disadvantaged areas, the redistribution of lands, and the fight against corruption are at risk, according to the bishops, for becoming instruments of political struggle.In light of the allegations in the message and the start of the election campaign for local elections in April 2011, the bishops call on the people of this country to take up their responsibilities in the hope of ushering in “a new era that is characterized by honest and respectful dialogue and an ardent common search for solutions towards the integral development of Malawi.” http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=27739&lan=eng
“When we emerged from the 2009 elections, our hopes were high for peace, stability and development for all. Somewhat more than a year later our hopes are slowly fading away,” says a message from the Malawian Bishops' Conference, a copy of which was sent to Fides. The document was read on Sunday, October 31 in all the churches in the country. The 8-page declaration was published in three languages: English, chichewa, and chitumbuka. The bishops, while recognizing the progress made in the country in the past year (especially in terms of food self-sufficiency and some infrastrucures), express their concern for the political situation that could present a risk to democracy. In particular, the message highlights the divisions that exist within the government's party and the lack of a wide debate on several reforms being discussed in Parliament. The bishops also express their concern for the situation of the media and freedom of the press: “Informed decisions are made by an informed public. The public media, paid with taxpayers money, have to ensure that the general public remains informed. However, we note with dismay the continuous unbalanced reporting and news coverage. The public media are used to castigate faith-based and non-governmental organizations that offer alternative contributions to various policies. Besides that the private media have been threatened with closure if they are perceived to be ‘unpatriotic’.”The distribution of food in the most disadvantaged areas, the redistribution of lands, and the fight against corruption are at risk, according to the bishops, for becoming instruments of political struggle.In light of the allegations in the message and the start of the election campaign for local elections in April 2011, the bishops call on the people of this country to take up their responsibilities in the hope of ushering in “a new era that is characterized by honest and respectful dialogue and an ardent common search for solutions towards the integral development of Malawi.” http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=27739&lan=eng
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