   |
|
afrol News, 5 September - According to local media watchdogs, "well placed" functionaries from Malawi's ruling party, the United Democratic Front (UDF), are plotting against journalists they see as troublesome. There even exist plans to "beat up the journalists for doing their work." Lance Ngulube, the Chairman of the National Media Institute of Southern Africa (Namisa) - the Malawi chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) - today published a statement warning against renewed media harassment in Malawi. Ngulube says he has gathered "circumstantial information" that several "well placed UDF political zealots have drawn up a plan to deal with selected journalists in the country whom they feel are a threat to their individual and party interests." The cadres had targeted BBC correspondent Raphael Tenthani, Mabvuto Banda of the 'Daily Times', Ackimu Kaingana of 'Malawi News', 'The Chronicle' newspaper and 'The Pride' magazine crew. Mabvuto Banda reportedly has changed houses four times in a short period of time to avoid being victimised. According to the information that Namisa have gathered, the reportages of these journalists are "regarded as a threat, an embarrassment to the government and an obstacle in the way of the now failed Open Term Bill," MISA Researcher Zoe Titus reports from Namibia. The so-called "Open Term Bill" refers to President Muluzi's bid for a third presidential term - something civil society and independent media campaigned massively against. Namisa had monitored how party functionaries have hunted for the journalists throughout recent Parliament sitting and during the visit of the Libyan Leader Colonel Muammar Khaddafi, Titus says. - Namisa would like to remind the nation that the media is only playing its rightful role in disseminating information to the public, Ngulube says. "The same journalists who are a target for harassment have enlightened the society and exposed a number of ills in Malawi society to the extent of saving people. For example, the media saved the lives of Malawians by informing the government about the existence of poison in imported maize." The journalists had also ensured enough publicity on the otherwise hurried debate on the "Open Term Bill" while state controlled media had in unisonely propagated the Bill. "They have exposed corruption and other scandals for the betterment of Malawians," Ngulube says. Ngulube found it shocking to learn that the party functionaries were "planning to beat up the journalists for doing their work. We would like to inform all Malawians that freedom of the press is provided for in the Malawi Constitution and the United Democratic Front Constitution." In 2001, UDF functionaries beat up and harassed a number of journalists. Ngulube says there is a resurgence of that plan to harass journalists or media houses that are critical of the government. - It is an act of intimidation and terrorism to assault journalists for doing their work, says Ngulube. "Such an action will only succeed in tarnishing the image of the government, the ruling party and President Muluzi who has been advocating for tolerance and the upholding democratic values (including freedom of expression). We only hope that the party zealots will desist from carrying out such devilish plans."
|
