Broadcasters renew push for U.S. AM radio legislation on Capitol Hill
BLANTYRE, Malawi — Every Wednesday at 2 p.m., listeners tuning in to MIJ FM — the national broadcast arm of the Malawi Institute of Journalism — are met with something refreshingly different. Instead of the familiar rhythm of news bulletins, music and talk shows, the airwaves come alive with French greetings, conversational exchanges and interactive lessons that invite audiences to learn a new language from the comfort of their homes.
Launched in December of last year, the “French Corner” program is MIJ FM’s latest educational initiative. Produced in partnership with l’Alliance Française de Blantyre, a language and cultural center located in Blantyre, the one-hour weekly show is broadcast mostly live with recorded versions available for later listening.
Producers say the program demonstrates how radio, one of the most accessible and affordable media platforms in Malawi, can help to deliver education and skills development, particularly for people with limited access to the internet or formal language institutions.
MIJ Executive Director Dr. Levi Phelani said that the motivation behind “French Corner” is strategic and straightforward. “The program was introduced to promote the French language and the work of l’Alliance Française de Blantyre,” he explained. “We want to give people who already studied French a chance to refresh their skills, while also encouraging new learners to take their first steps.”
A deliberate choice
The program is carefully designed for radio-based learning. Lessons are adapted from l’Alliance Française’s internationally recognized curriculum, with a focus on clear pronunciation, repetition and practical, everyday conversations. Presented in both French and English, producers say the format makes the lessons accessible to beginners while remaining valuable to those with some prior knowledge of the language.
“This program is unique,” Phelani said. “MIJ FM is the only radio station among the 29 in southern Malawi that has ventured into a structured French language program. What makes it even more special is the direct involvement of l’Alliance Française staff and members of the French community.”
Radio, he adds, was a deliberate choice. “Most Malawians listen to the radio. It remains the most cost-effective and inclusive way to reach people, especially those outside urban centers.”
The initiative’s importance is already resonating across Malawi’s media and development sectors. The Media Council of Malawi recently highlighted language barriers during a digital journalism training that involved facilitators from France and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The council said the experience underscored the need to promote French, especially as Malawi deepens partnerships with organizations such as Reporters Without Borders and other international media development bodies.
Some describe “French Corner” as less intimidating than traditional classroom learning, while others say it has inspired them to pursue French studies formally.
Making a difference
According to Phelani, Luc Deschamps, director of l’Alliance Française de Blantyre, told MIJ FM of the practical benefits of learning different languages. He said that Malawians need to pursue widely spoken languages to enhance their capabilities in global communication, academia and professional sectors.
The program regularly features panelists from l’Alliance Française, members of the French community in Blantyre and surrounding areas and sometimes learners themselves. At times, it highlights individuals whose lives have been transformed by learning French. One such voice is Gracious Lusayo Mwambira, a senior examiner at the Reserve Bank of Malawi, who participated in a recent “French Corner” broadcast. He said that proficiency in French was a prerequisite for his studies in Algeria. “Without French, I wouldn’t have obtained the qualifications I have today,” he said. “Every language comes with a layer of intelligence. French enhanced my thinking and broadened my perspective.”
Mwambira said the language also opened professional doors. He says he worked for five years with Media Measure, a company that tracks advertising across Francophone media in Africa and France. “Even after I secured a job at the Reserve Bank of Malawi, Media Measure retained me on a part-time basis because French is a rare skill in Malawi,” he explained.
Listeners say the program is already making a difference. Some describe “French Corner” as less intimidating than traditional classroom learning, while others say it has inspired them to pursue French studies formally. “The way they teach it on radio makes it sound easy,” said Blantyre-based listener Anastazia Gondwe. “I never thought I could learn French just by listening. Now I am considering starting to attend French language classes.”
Phelani says MIJ FM is going further. “We are also making the program available on online platforms, with plans to introduce podcasts.” Doing so, he said, would ensure the lessons continue to reach even wider audiences.
The author reports on the industry from Blantyre, Malawi.
This story originally appeared in the March/April 2026 edition of RedTech Magazine. You can read or download it for free here.
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