The mid-1990s ushered in a new era for press freedom in Malawi, with the emergence of independent newspapers and radio stations. Most people get their news from the public broadcaster, the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC). Although the country has ten independent newspapers, most of them are not easily accessible due to their price and language of publication, English, which the majority of the population does not speak There are several TV channels, but only the state-owned Malawi TV broadcasts nationally. 

The government wields a certain level of influence over the media. In 2018, a media group had to apologise after the ruling party accused it of publishing a story that was biased in favour of another party. Several politicians own “private” radio stations, such as Zodiak Broadcasting Station, which is owned by former Minister of Information Gospel Kazako. It is the president who appoints the public broadcaster MBC’s board of directors. 

Freedom of expression is enshrined in the constitution. Press freedom has seen some progress in the form of the Communications Regulatory Authority of Malawi created in 1998 and the access to information law that took effect in September 2020. The crime of sedition was repealed in 2023 but posting “offensive” messages online is still punishable by imprisonment under the 2016 cybersecurity law. Journalism is also restricted by other laws, such as the law on protected places, which makes it difficult to access certain areas. In a landmark decision in July 2025, the High Court ruled that Article 200 of the Penal Code, which criminalises defamation, was unconstitutional.

Most media outlets operate on very tight budgets, which undermines their independence. Their financial survival often depends on what they are paid in return for providing political support, as advertising is controlled by the government. The practice of chimpondamthengo, named after the symbolic remuneration offered to traditional doctors, and which consists of paying a journalist in exchange for covering an event, is widespread.

Community radio stations play a crucial role in broadcasting localised content that resonates with local cultures. Religious groups exert some influence over the media and use community radio stations to promote their faith, such as Radio Maria and Radio Islam. Women are underrepresented both as journalists and as people covered in the news. Advocacy groups continue to push for greater gender equality, but progress remains slow.

The disputed 2019 elections had a negative impact on press freedom, as several TV stations were vandalised. A month later, members of the ruling party stormed the offices of the public broadcaster, MBC, and forced its director general to apologise live on television, accusing him of insulting the president during the campaign. Malawian journalists are sometimes subjected to arbitrary arrests as well as threats and online intimidation. Several cases of assaults on journalists, especially by members of political parties or law enforcement, have been registered in recent years. Investigative journalists can be forced to flee the country.