Afrika Focus published in 2020 a study titled "From Watchdog to Lapdog: Political Influence of China on News Reporting in Malawi" by Mwaona Nyirongo, Rhodes University, South Africa.
Malawi media, especially The Daily Times, generally offered negative coverage of China from 2001 to 2007 when Malawi recognized Taiwan. This changed in January 2008 when coverage of China became more positive. Malawi switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing at the end of 2007. The author argues that the Malawi government significantly influenced the change in coverage of China.
