Misa Malawi has decried attack of Nation Publications Limited-NBL journalist alone at Democratic Progressive Party-DPP elective convention on Monday 19th August 2024; a situation it describes as worrisome and a threat to media freedom and independence.
In a media statement, MISA Malawi Chairperson, Golden Matonga, what the DPP followers did is not allowed in a democratic dispensation and it has to be condemned.
Matonga has since asked the party leaders to punish all those who were involved in order to deter a repeat of the same in the future.
“Attacks on journalists create an environment of fear and unnecessary censorship in the media and that is the death of journalism,” said Matonga.
“We can preserve our democracy by ensuring that the media is safe and free to professionally report on democratic systems such as elections, politics, political parties and political leaders.
He added that “for the media to safely and freely cover the next elections, Malawi needs to develop and implement systems that safeguard journalism and do away with impunity for crimes against journalists.”
In an interview with Our News Platform Mw, Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation-CHRR Executive Director Michael Kaiyatsa indicated that attacks on journalists would continue if perpetrators of the vice are not arrested and prosecuted.
Ironically, Homeland Security Minister, Ken Zikhale Ng’oma and the police had pledged to ensure that the culprits faced the long arm of the law.
