In the theater of politics and media, few dramas unfold with such bitter ironies as the recent forced public apology issued by George Kasakula, the Director General of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), to President-elect Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.
This apology, forced under the glaring spotlight of public scrutiny on October 10, 2025, is not merely a personal admission but a symbol of a much deeper malaise afflicting Malawi’s media and political landscape.
The Hard Truth column does not condone any form of assault—physical or verbal—on any individual.
Yet, it is imperative to dig beneath the surface and uncover the layers of hypocrisy, partisanship, and professional decay that have culminated in this moment of reckoning.
Kasakula’s apology, issued after a decade of relentless verbal assaults against Peter Mutharika, is as hollow as it is belated.
The hard truth is that Kasakula’s venomous rhetoric was not a spontaneous outburst but a well-orchestrated campaign of character assassination waged from the very platforms he now presides over.
During the campaign period, when Professor Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) were in opposition, Kasakula stabbed them backwards, sideways, and in every conceivable manner on MBC TV—the same institution that now demands his contrition.
This is not mere political rivalry; it is a story of betrayal, propaganda, and ethical bankruptcy.
It is well documented and widely acknowledged that Kasakula has long been an ardent agent of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), a party whose recent conduct at Kamuzu Palace and state house residences has been nothing short of disgraceful.
The hard truth is that MCP’s rotten mouth—symbolized in Kasakula’s own loquacious venom—has long been a blight on Malawi’s political discourse.
This is the same party whose thugs desecrated state property, looted taxpayer-funded assets, and defiled the walls of official residences with faeces.
Kasakula’s words were an extension of this rot, a toxic fog that poisoned national unity and degraded the standards of journalism.
Kasakula’s career trajectory is a cautionary tale. From his days at the Times Group, where he first unleashed a barrage of insults against Mutharika, to his current role at MBC, he has consistently degraded himself by descending into the murky depths of propaganda masquerading as journalism.
Despite holding a master’s degree—an achievement that should have been a beacon of professionalism—Kasakula chose to preside over programs that ridiculed, insulted, and provoked in a manner unbecoming of any ethical journalist.
The hard truth is that Kasakula weaponized media not for enlightenment but for destruction, targeting a man who, through divine grace and perseverance, has risen to reclaim the presidency.
This decade-long assault was not met with the necessary condemnation from watchdog bodies.
The Malawi Editors Forum and the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi, institutions tasked with safeguarding journalistic integrity and ethical standards, failed spectacularly in their duty.
It is both ironic and tragic that MISA Malawi, which has now condemned Kasakula’s forced apology, remained silent through years of his blatant verbal onslaught against Mutharika.
The hard truth is that MISA Malawi is a toothless watchdog, an organization that has forfeited its moral authority by selectively applying its principles.
While it eagerly issues press releases condemning attacks on journalists, it conveniently overlooks the abuses perpetrated by some of its own members.
This is not oversight; it is a betrayal of the very ideals MISA claims to uphold.
Furthermore, MISA’s failure to advocate for the welfare of journalists—many of whom endure low wages and poor working conditions—exposes its true priorities.
The organization seems more interested in symbolic gestures than substantive action.
After issuing a condemnation, MISA slaps itself on the back and calls the job done, leaving systemic issues unaddressed. The hard truth is that MISA Malawi, in its current form, is a relic that should be reformed or abolished.
It is an institution that supports mediocrity and shields those who cross ethical boundaries, rather than holding them accountable.
Kasakula now finds himself at a crossroads, a man caught in the web he helped weave. The hard truth is that his forced apology cannot be seen as genuine remorse.
It is a capitulation born from political reality, not personal conviction. Kasakula’s psychological burden will be immense, for he must now operate under the very leadership he once sought to destroy through his relentless propaganda.
The Hard Truth column expects Kasakula to resign honorably, recognizing that his presence undermines the credibility of MBC and the dignity of the office he holds.
Lessons must be learned, and humility embraced, if Malawi’s media is to regain any semblance of respect.
What Kasakula’s downfall teaches us is a timeless lesson echoed in scripture and history: those who plot evil against others often find their schemes reflecting back upon themselves.
The biblical story of Haman, who built a gallows intending to hang Mordecai only to be hanged on that very structure, serves as a poignant metaphor. Kasakula, who used MBC as his weapon to politically assassinate Mutharika’s character, is now the victim of the same platform’s judgment.
The hard truth is that when one digs a pit for another, they must be wary lest they fall into it themselves.
Yet, while acknowledging the poetic justice in Kasakula’s predicament, The Hard Truth does not condone the assault he endured. Violence and intimidation have no place in civilized discourse.
Just as we condemn the verbal assaults Kasakula inflicted on Mutharika, so must we condemn any physical or psychological attacks on Kasakula.
The pursuit of justice and accountability must be conducted within the bounds of law, decency, and respect for human dignity.
Kasakula’s rot mouth is emblematic of the MCP’s toxic legacy. This party, which once held the reins of power, now finds itself exposed for its moral decay and reckless abandon.
The hard truth is that political allegiance should never justify the abandonment of journalistic ethics or the descent into character assassination. Kasakula’s example serves as a cautionary tale for journalists and political operatives alike: integrity is the currency of trust, and once spent on lies and hatred, it is almost impossible to reclaim.
The Hard Truth column calls upon all stakeholders—journalists, political parties, media institutions, and civil society—to reflect deeply on the lessons of this episode. The media must reclaim its role as a pillar of democracy, not a tool for partisan vendettas.
Organizations like MISA Malawi must undergo profound reforms to restore their credibility and effectiveness. Politicians must engage in debates grounded in facts and respect, not mudslinging and propaganda.
And journalists like Kasakula must remember that their words carry power and responsibility that cannot be wielded recklessly.
The saga of George Kasakula is not just about one man’s fall from grace. It is a mirror held up to Malawi’s media and political culture, reflecting the urgent need for reform, accountability, and ethical renewal.
The hard truth is that Malawi deserves better—better journalism, better leadership, and a better future where respect for truth and human dignity prevails over bitterness and division.
Let this be the moment when the rot is exposed, when lessons are learned, and when Malawi steps forward into a new era of integrity and hope.
The hard truth will continue to speak boldly, unflinchingly, and with the conviction that only truth can heal and unite a nation.
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