Download - Media Institute of Southern Africa

State of the media in Southern Africa 2002
informed society.
* NAMISA is the Malawi chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa
(MISA).
Signed:
Lance Ngulube, Chairperson
Lowani Mtonga, National Director
Press Statement
September 5, 2002
TOPIC: Harassment of journalists in Malawi
The National Media Institute of Southern Africa (NAMISA) - the Malawi
chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa - has gathered circumstantial
information that some well placed United Democratic Front (UDF) political
zealots have drawn up a plan to deal with selected journalists in the country
whom they feel are a threat to their individual and party interests.
The cadres have targeted BBC correspondent Raphael Tenthani of the “Daily
Times”‚ Mabvuto Banda, Ackimu Kaingana of “Malawi News”, “The Chronicle”
newspaper and “The Pride” magazine crew. Mabvuto Banda has changed
houses four times in a short period of time to avoid being victimised.
According to the information that NAMISA has gathered, the reportages of
these journalists are regarded as a threat, an embarrassment to the government
and an obstacle in the way of the now failed Open Term Bill.
NAMISA monitored how party functionaries have hunted for the journalists
throughout recent Parliament sitting and during the visit of the Libyan Leader
Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
NAMISA would like to remind the nation that the media is only playing its
rightful role in disseminating information to the public. The same journalists
who are targets for harassment have enlightened the society and exposed a
number of ills in Malawi society to the extent of saving people.
For example, the media saved the lives of Malawians by informing the government
about the existence of poison in imported maize. The journalists also
ensured enough publicity on the otherwise hurried debate on the Open Bill.
They have exposed corruption and other scandals for the betterment of
Malawians.
2002
It is shocking to learn that the party functionaries are planning to beat up the
journalists for doing their work. We would like to inform all Malawians that
freedom of the press is provided for in the Malawi Constitution and the United
312 So This Is Democracy?