By Suleman Chitera
Lilongwe, Malawi — The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter has strongly condemned the harassment and intimidation of journalists during President Lazarus Chakwera’s nomination paper submission at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
According to eyewitness reports, supporters of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) heckled and intimidated members of the press, especially those who posed critical or probing questions. The situation escalated when Robert Edward, a journalist from Luntha Television, was trailed by aggressive individuals and had to be safely escorted out by a concerned attendee.
In a public statement, MISA Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga denounced the incident as a clear violation of media freedom and a serious threat to the public’s right to access reliable and independent information.
“These acts of intimidation and heckling are unfortunate and unacceptable in a democracy,” Matonga said. “Political leaders must ensure that their supporters do not suppress journalistic work through fear and hostility.”
MISA Malawi has since called on the MCP leadership — and all other political parties — to take immediate steps to discipline their supporters and demonstrate a genuine commitment to democratic values, including freedom of the press.
The organization reaffirmed that journalists must be allowed to do their work without fear or interference, especially during critical electoral processes where transparency and accountability are paramount.
As Malawi gears up for the upcoming presidential elections, the incident raises concerns about the safety of journalists and the need for stronger protections for media professionals.
