Sunday, June 26, 2022
  • About Us
  • ImagiNATION
  • Adverts
  • Rate Card
  • Contact Us
The Nation Online
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Front Page

MISA Malawi statement on APM attack on the media

by Nation Online
09/10/2015
in Front Page, National News
3 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

Friday, 9th October 2015

 

The Malawi Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Malawi) is concerned with the remarks made by President Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) against the media during a press conference he addressed at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Thursday, October 8, 2015.

 

During the press conference, the president described the media in Malawi as “irresponsible” and “agents of the opposition” for criticizing his trip to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States of America over the size of his entourage, hiring of a private jet and the level of expenditure incurred in the wake of economic problems prevailing in the country.

apm

The president even asked for an apology from some media houses over stories on the trip and fell short of specifying what action he would take should the apologies not come forward. As if that was not enough, Mutharika’s Press Secretary Gerald Viola also attacked one unspecified radio station, accusing it of having a hidden agenda against the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government.

 

We find the remarks by the President and his press secretary retrogressive and a threat to media freedom and freedom of expression. We are surprised that the president decided to target the media with unreasonable attacks instead of responding to the issues at hand and providing information Malawians are looking for regarding the trip to the UNGA.

 

Attacks on the media are attacks on democracy and should not be condoned.

 

MISA Malawi would like to appeal to the President and the State House Press Office to desist from being in the forefront in attacking the media for doing its job. The media has a duty to report and inform Malawians on matters of national importance.

 

We believe the President’s concerns could easily be addressed by ensuring that government is proactive in disseminating information and enacting the Access to Information Bill (ATI) and ensure that Malawians have accurate and relevant information to make informed decisions. Secrecy and lack of information, as has been the case with the president’s trip to the UNGA, only creates room for speculation and rumor mongering.

 

The trip by the president to the UNGA was funded by tax-payers and Malawians have every right to know how their money is being spent by those charged with the responsibility of managing the resources. And the media has constitutional duty of holding the government accountable in the way they use public funds and how they are governing the country in general.

 

We therefore appeal to the State President to always be transparent and accountable as he discharges his duties. He should also respect the role of the media in providing checks and balances on his government. Where he has concerns, they can be channeled through relevant media bodies for their review and adjudication.

 

The approach taken during the press

conference at State House creates an impression that government is taking systematic steps to suffocate the media, thereby strangling our young democracy in the process. That cannot be condoned in a democratic Malawi.

 

Signed

THOM KHANJE
CHAIRPERSON, MISA MALAWI

Tags: APMDPPUNGA
Previous Post

Govt reverses decision on 51 doctors, nurses

Next Post

Focold donates bicycles, watering cans to CBCCs in Mwanza

Related Posts

People queue at an Admarc depot to buy maize
Front Page

Admarc asked to reopen maize markets

June 26, 2022
Front Page

Lawyer moves to challenge teen’s chamba sentence

June 26, 2022
Business News

Teveta wants industries to prioritise Tevet certificate

June 26, 2022
Next Post
Some of the Childcare Givers with their bicycles and watering cans

Focold donates bicycles, watering cans to CBCCs in Mwanza

Opinions and Columns

People’s Tribunal

Two years later and we are still singing same song

June 26, 2022
Big Man Wamkulu

Wife’s relatives have taken over my house

June 26, 2022
My Thought

Stop cyber harassment

June 26, 2022
Candid Talk

Baby gender preference and disappointments

June 26, 2022

Malawi-Music.com Top10

Trending Stories

  • Changaya: It is a
huge trade deal

    K243bn Malawi trade deal on rocks

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Tonse partners feel sidelined

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Mixed views on SKC ouster

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Veep status under spotlight

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • CSOs demand Chilima, others’ resignation

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

  • Values
  • Our Philosophy
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism disclaimer
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

© 2022 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation

© 2020 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.