•We have learnt with shock of the journalist threats-Misa Malawi
•’Translate words into action’
Government officials talk on promotion and protection of media freedom faces a fresh litmus test as a local media body demands the arrest and prosecution of some politicians and political parties supporters suspected of threatening a Times Group reporter, Cathy Maulidi.
Journalist Cathy Maulidi received a WhatsApp threats from strange numbers over a story on what Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule said in Parliament.
Again, it has been also noted social media trolls against Maulidi over the same story.
This comes despite Malawi leader President Lazarus Chakwera pledged that as long as he was president, he would promote and protect media freedom in the country.
Media Instutute of Southern Africa-MISA Malawi Chairperson, Golden Matonga says politicians and their supporters must stop threatening, harassing and demonizing journalists in an attempt to silence and discredit their work.
Matonga said threats, harassment and online trolls targeted at journalists for merely doing their job are attacks on press freedom and promote self-censorship in journalists and media outlets.
“These attacks can easily be construed as deliberate attempts to silence critics and stifle media freedom and freedom of expression.
“We believes in media accountability and professionalism but threats and harassment of journalists, online or offline, are not in any way acceptable means of ensuring media accountability and professionalism,” reads part of the communication.
He said he would like to urge politicians, their supporters and all members of the public to follow due process when they feel wronged by the media rather than taking things in their own hands by engaging in threats, harassment and even physical attacks.
Meanwhile, MCP Publicity Secretary, Ezekiel Ching’oma says it is not acceptable to intimidate or harrass journalists or any individuals for doing their job or exercising their right to free speech.
“Such actions not only violate the law but also undermine the principles of democracy and respect for human dignity,” says Ching’oma, adding they will fully cooperate with police investigations to bring culprits to book.
Ironically, Homeland Security Minister Ken Zikhale Ng’oma told Times Talk Programme that they suspected “some political party might have hired some youths to cause havoc .
He pledged to investigate the matter after UTM publicist, Felix Njawala lamented in the same program that three of their supporters had been seriously injured by certain youths that had panga knives and other sharp objects.
Meanwhile, Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu says government is committed to promoting and protecting media freedom. However, the media body wants the assurance translated into action.
