Malawi: National radio bans the music of musician Lucius Banda
Malawi Broadcasting Corporation has banned the music of one the country’s top musicians, Lucius Banda, because songs on his latest album express criticism of the country’s government, reported Africanews.com on 5 January 2010
An article on Africanews.com stated that according to an internal memorandum issued to the staff of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation's two radio channels, Lucius Banda’s music should not be played on air, neither his music material or spoken word. The memo further warned its staff to take the information as a “last warning.”
Lucius Banda is one of the most popular musicians in the country. He recently released his 15th album, entitled 'Fifteen Fifteen', which contains songs which allegedly attack the government of Malawi's president Bingu Wa Mutharika. Lucius Banda was once himself a politician and a Member of Parliament.
Africa News also reported that this is not his first time for his music to be banned in Malawi.
A big blow In an interview with the private radio station Capital Radio – which is playing his music – Lucius Banda was quoted as saying: “It’s a big blow as a musician and a citizen.” He also said that he will drag the state media to court over the matter.
Dig deeper 20-pages article in Journal of African Media Studies, Volume 1 Number 1 2009, published by Intellect Ltd, written by John Lwanda, who is a social and cultural historian at Dudu Nsomba Publications, based in Glasgow, UK: 'Music advocacy, the media and the Malawi political public sphere, 1958–2007'
Malawi Broadcasting Corporation has banned the music of Lucius Banda - allegedly because certain songs on his latest album express criticism of the government
