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Namisa condemns PP official’s remark over media advertising ban

MISA chairperson: Anthony Kasunda
MISA chairperson: Anthony Kasunda

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Malawi) Chapter has condemned sentiments by ruling People’s Party (PP) official for suggesting to government to stop advertising in the private media.

PP’s deputy Secretary General, Ireen Chikuni speaking at a presidential function held in Ndirande Township, Blantyre on Sunday said government should consider withdrawing advertisement from some media houses and threatened that the ruling party will deal with some journalists who write or broadcast what she called ‘insults to President Joyce Banda’.

According to Chikuni, journalists from certain media houses were abusing media by insulting the president on a daily basis.

But today MISA Malawi in a statement said it does not only find these words disappointing but also retrogressive considering the strides the country has made to entrench the culture of democracy. Elements such as Madam Chikuni, who get excited on a political podium to please their master, are a danger to a democratic Malawi.

“Madam Chikuni needs to be reminded that the Republican Constitution guarantees media freedom and freedom of expression in case she has forgotten and that as an organisation, Misa-Malawi will always strive to ensure that media freedom is defended from overzealous politicians such as
her.” says Anthony Kasunda, chairperson of Misa Malawi.

Kasunda said no amount of intimidation and threats will divert the media in the country from its critical role of being a watchdog for society.

“People who contest for public positions should be ready and open to public scrutiny. The media in Malawi will not relent in holding those in public offices accountable to the people of Malawi.

MISA Malawi would like to remind Madam Chikuni, and other party zealots who share this type of thinking, that some media houses and practitioners suffered during the previous Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government because they were seen as sympathisers of President Joyce Banda when she was embattled Vice President of the country. It is very unfortunate that the same media houses and practitioners are attacked like this now that Banda is the President,”said Kasunda in the statement.

Read full statement here:

 

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8 Comments

  1. Frank mwenifumbo said the same thing at a ground breaking rally for Zomba-Blantyre Road in February or March 2012 shortly before Bingu died under pressure. The same Frank is now in PP. We need new politicians in Malawi. We are tired of these looters that have been moving with ruling parties from UDF, DPP and now PP. We cannot make a difference.

  2. let media work without interference from the govt.madam chikuni should also beer in mind that its the same media which fought for jb during the time of mutharika

    1. The media body should also be playing abig part in cautioning journalist who write false stories and insults. Their sitting phwii results to politicians saying these words. I have never heard ofv a media body cautioning a journalist despite many false stories. Come on whats your duty idiots.

  3. Kuti Irene Chikini ndiye uti, mkazi wa Lucious Chikuni ankanyengana ndi driver wa amunache uja?

    Small wonder.

  4. Madam Chikuni, this is pedestrian thinking. People like you are really a danger to the running of serious government affairs. Ngati munalibe chonena mukadawauza a Prezidenti kuti pepani ndilibe mau, imani mulankhule ndi anthu. Basi. Not insulting our intelligence like that. For your information, media and Journalists shall always be there with or without you. Zitomveka kaya?

  5. My views have been well articulated by “Patriot” (Comment number 1) However I wish to add that as Malawians, we have been fooled for too long. Its time we took all our Political leaders task.

  6. Is journalism insulting someone? There is need for some threshold on who should qualify as a journalist. We have nowhere to get real news, politicians are lying or creating lies everyday, journalists are receiving kickbacks and perpetrating the lies.

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