MISA Malawi Chapter has written President Peter Mutharika to make a public denouncement of acts of violence on journalists by his ruling party and police.
MISA Malawi Chairperson Teresa Ndanga said there is continued hostility towards the media through assault and intimidation by members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), United Democratic Front (UDF), police and some members of general public.
Ndanga said a letter was submitted to the President through the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Capital Hill, Lilongwe on Monday, March 16, 2020.
“Apart from requesting the President to denounce acts of violence and intimidation of journalists, we have also notified the President that we are in the meantime discouraging our members from covering events perceived to be risky, including those of the ruling DPP.” Said Ndanga
Ndanga noted that on March 13, 2020, DPP and UDF barred reporters from covering a parade the two parties had organised in Lilongwe and that they threatened to use a razor blade to deal with any journalist found doing what the supporters deem “foolish”.
Among other incidences of media violation happened in the last three months which have been put to Mutharika attention includes: threats made by former deputy minister Honorable Charles Mchacha to Nation Publications Limited (NPL) Journalist Bobby Kabango; DPP legislatures intimidation to journalists on February 18; snatching of phone and deletion of footage from Kulinji.com reporter Gladys Nthenda by DPP Lawmaker Honorable Chimwemwe Chipungu.
Assault of journalists by the Malawi Police on Tuesday March 10, 2020 during the arrests of human rights activists at Lilongwe Police Station; Arrest of Golden Matonga of NPL, Steve Zimba and Francis Chamasowa of ZBS at Kamuzu International Airport for allegedly covering arrival of the European Union Elections Observer Mission Delegation; Assault of Tuntufye Radio journalist Patricia Kayuni by protesters in Chitipa district on Friday, January 10, 2020; Assault of NPL Journalist Golden Matonga and Kulinji.com’s Gladys Nthenda by demonstrators in Lilongwe.
MISA Malawi has since described these attacks on journalists as “disturbing and a threat not just to the journalists, but to press freedom in general.”
“There is a perceived danger that the pattern of actions by the President’s administration could be construed as deliberate to muzzle, frustrate and even destroy the free and independent media in Malawi. We hope the President will publicly denounce acts of violence, assault and intimidation of journalists and send a clear message to would be perpetrators of the President’s commitment to promoting media freedom and freedom of expression in the country.” Added Ndanga
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