President Lazarus Chakwera has pledged that his administration will continue to promote and protect freedom of expression as a driver for all human rights.
Chakwera made the remarks on Wednesday, when he hosted members of the press at Kamuzu Palace in celebration of the World Press Freedom Day which is commemorated on 3rd May every year.
In his speech, the President stressed that the human rights that are enjoyed, cannot be promoted or protected without the right to expression.
“Freedom of expression and freedom of the press is not just a right. It is a sacred
responsibility we must take seriously, because the promotion and protection of all other rights depends on it.
By implication, this also means that this is a sacred responsibility we must never abuse or desecrate or corrupt, because the abuse or desecration or corruption of our freedom of expression or the press puts all other human rights at risk” Chakwera said
The president then assured journalists in the country that he will fulfill the oath he took as president by upholding the freedoms and rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic.
Minister of Information and Digitisation Moses Kunkuyu applauded the President for hosting the media at Kamuzu palace saying this shows the cordial relations that exists between government and the media.
“The gathering today is testimony that the media is operating freely without interference,” He said.
Chairperson for MISA MALAWI, Teresa Ndanga commended the President for extending an invitation to members of the media to a World Press Freedom Day Breakfast at Kamuzu Palace saying, this a sign of his commitment to celebrate and uphold media freedom and freedom of expression in the country.
“The breakfast engagement provides an opportunity for us to share with you the developments in our sector to to engage with them as a sign of commitment to uphold media freedom and expression in the country and allow them to share with him any emerging issues concerning the sector,” she added
Ndanga further commended the current administration for the legislative milestones registered in the past 12 months among others repealing of seditious laws like, the amendment of the Protected Flag, Emblems and Names Act.
The Misa Chairperson bemoaned the existence of some defamation laws, which she said criminalise and punish the exercise of freedoms that the Constitution guarantees.
“Criminal defamation is benefitting the powerful, those in advantaged positions at the expense of the country’s scarce resources. The injured can file for defamation and get their remedy without all the drama associated with criminal defamation, we therefore appeal to your administration to consider repealing this law.” she said.
World Press Freedom Day is commemorated on 3rd May. The United Nations set a side the day to commemorate Press Freedom.
By Susan Hara and Sarah Munthali
