MISA Malawi has condemned the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for threatening Nation Publications Limited (NPL) journalists at the just ended convention.
According to a statement signed by chairperson Golden Matonga, in the wee hours of Monday, August 19, 2024, some people operating under the banner ‘DPP media team’ threatened and ‘forced’ NPL team to delete a Facebook news update on what was happening at the convention.
T”he NPL team had to seek special protection from some party officials to safely move themselves and their livestreaming gadgets out of the convention hall.
“Intimidation of journalists and forced deletion of stories are a huge affront to media freedom and the right to know and such behaviour has no place in democracy that birthed party politics.
“It is even more concerning that such barbaric actions are happening at a time Malawians are eager to know what is happening in respective political parties for them to make informed choices during the 2025 elections.
“The media in Malawi are ready to render their services, in the interest of the public, and creating an atmosphere of animosity for journalists covering events and activities in the run to 2025 elections is criminal and disservice to the nation.
“MISA Malawi calls on all political parties to create a safe and secure environment for the media, by among others, working closely with the police, journalists and media outlets, for fair and credible 2025 elections..
“We also call on the DPP to publicly reprimand those political fanatics who have spoiled what would largely be considered a cordial working relationship between the party top leadership and the media during the convention,” reads the statement
